The Cadillac Formula 1 Team has officially announced its driver lineup for the upcoming 2026 F1 season, confirming ex-Mercedes-AMG, ex-Sauber, and current Mercedes F1 reserve driver Valtteri Bottas, alongside ex-Red Bull Racing grand prix winner Sergio Pérez. This long-speculated news signifies Cadillac's strategic decision to prioritize massively experienced F1 veterans for the foundational era of its all-new grand prix racing team, which will be the 11th team on the grid next season.

Cadillac F1 CEO Dan Towriss articulated the rationale behind these choices, stating, “We believe [Bottas’ and Pérez’s] experience, their leadership, and their technical acumen are really what we need. It’s the right combination, the right drivers at the right time.” This decision means that numerous aspiring F1 rookies and former F1 racers, such as Mick Schumacher, Zhou Guanyu, Jack Crawford, Felipe Drugovich, and Frederik Vesti, will not be part of Cadillac's inaugural season lineup. Towriss acknowledged the talent in the young driver pool but emphasized that the experience and leadership of Bottas and Pérez ultimately stood out.

The choice of two seasoned veterans is a predictable approach for an upstart F1 team, given the historical struggles new entrants face in competing against established outfits. With F1 adopting a new engine and chassis formula in 2026—featuring smaller cars, active aerodynamics, and more electrically generated horsepower—an engineering reset will occur across the grid. This presents an opportunity for a shakeup in the competitive order, making drivers with vast experience in car and powertrain development, and knowledge of successful team processes, a highly valued asset. Cadillac will initially use customer Ferrari engines and gearboxes, with their own power units planned for 2029.

Addressing potential concerns, particularly regarding Sergio Pérez's recent performance struggles at Red Bull, Towriss confirmed a thorough evaluation process. He noted Red Bull's focus on one driver (Max Verstappen) and the difficulties other drivers faced in the second seat. Cadillac engaged extensively with personnel at Red Bull, gaining insights and feedback, and emerged confident in Pérez's strong desire to return to Formula 1 and make a statement. GM president Mark Reuss echoed this sentiment, highlighting the critical role of experienced drivers in technical development and their ability to push the limits of a car with confidence. Both Bottas and Pérez, each 35 years old, played second fiddle to championship-winning teammates (Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, respectively) but gained invaluable experience and knowledge from the two dominant F1 organizations of the past decade (2014–2024).

While Cadillac’s immediate focus is on established drivers, Towriss also confirmed the importance of creating a pathway for an American driver into Formula 1 in the future, acknowledging it will be a project they will actively work on. The contracts for Bottas and Pérez are described as multiyear deals, likely spanning at least two or three years with various performance clauses.

Both drivers expressed immense enthusiasm for their new roles. Sergio Pérez stated, “Joining the Cadillac Formula One Team is an incredibly exciting new chapter in my career. From our first conversations, I could sense the passion and determination behind this project. It's an honour to be part of building a team that can develop together so that, in time, we will fight at the very front.” Valtteri Bottas shared a similar sentiment, remarking, “From the moment I began speaking with the Cadillac Formula One Team, I felt something different – something ambitious but also grounded. This isn't just a racing project; it's a long-term vision.”

The Cadillac F1 effort is a partnership with U.S.-based TWG Motorsports, led by CEO Dan Towriss. Graeme Lowdon, former CEO of Virgin and Marussia F1 teams, serves as Cadillac F1’s team principal. Towriss firmly debunked rumors of Christian Horner joining the team, stating, “There have been no talks with Christian Horner. No plans to do that. So I’d like to officially shut down that rumor. Our support, belief, and backing are 100 percent in Graeme Lowdon.”

Collectively, Bottas and Pérez bring 26 years of F1 experience, with 16 wins across 532 races (527 starts). While their age suggests they may not be driving when Cadillac reaches the very sharp end of the grid, their combined knowledge base is expected to be instrumental in guiding the team's development. Cadillac F1 anticipates its first grand prix car to be on track for preseason testing in late January 2026, with the team’s branding and livery making their debut in February. The 2026 F1 season is scheduled to commence with the Australian Grand Prix on March 6–8.