With rumours circulating about which drivers Cadillac would place in their cars for next season, the American team has finally announced the pairing. Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas will be returning to the grid for the 2026 season.
Both drivers were free agents after Perez left Red Bull and Bottas departed from Sauber, respectively. But what can we expect from the veteran drivers over the next few seasons?
Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas will help develop Cadillac
Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas have a wealth of experience behind them, having raced in a combined 527 Grand Prix, with 16 wins between them. This experience will be vital for newcomer Cadillac as they prepare to embark on their debut F1 journey.
Bottas has spent most of his career fighting at the top end of the grid, with Perez having four years at Red Bull. However, both drivers have also spent time with teams languishing at the back of the grid and competing in tight midfield battles. This is exactly what Cadillac will need.
It is unlikely Cadillac will set the world alight in their debut season, meaning they will most likely be fighting in the midfield at best. This means they need drivers who are used to driving in that part of the grid and up for the fight. Their experience will help Cadillac build strong foundations for the team, while helping the team develop the car.
🚨| CONFIRMED:@Cadillac_F1 have confirmed their lineup for the 2026 season:
🇫🇮 | Valtteri Bottas
🇲🇽| Sergio Perez#F1 #cadillacf1 #DutchGPhttps://t.co/h8wRkG7G4j— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) August 26, 2025
Team principal Graeme Lowdon said: “Signing two very experienced racers like Bottas and Checo is a bold signal of intent. They’ve seen it all and they know what it takes to succeed in Formula 1.
“But more importantly, they understand what it means to help build a team. Their leadership, feedback, race-hardened instincts and of course their speed will be invaluable as we bring this team to life.”
Sergio Perez has a form of improving teams during his career, Red Bull aside. During his spells at Sauber and Force India/Racing Point, the cars generally got better season after season. He needs to put his time at Red Bull behind him and help start the “exciting” new project.
Why didn’t Cadillac go for a youthful option?
Cadillac went for experience, but Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas don’t have age on their side. Both drivers signed ‘multi-year’ contracts, but both are 35 years old. This means that despite them being good at building a team, Cadillac will need to look for replacements sooner rather than later.
The question is, why didn’t the newcomers put a younger driver in with an experienced one? This way, they could build around a younger talent, while the veteran helped build and develop the team. However, the American outfit chose not to do this.
Why Cadillac’s 2026 F1 Lineup Won’t Feature an American Driver
CEO of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team and TWG Motorsports, Dan Towriss, explained why. He said, “Bottas and Checo bring the perfect balance of talent, maturity, and drive. They’re not just accomplished racers, they’re builders, collaborators, and professionals.”
Once the team is fully prepared, they might add a younger talent to partner with one of their more experienced drivers. The early aim is to build the team and get it to a place where they can challenge. Then adding youth could be the final ingredient they need to push on. Cadillac have made it clear that their early ambitions are to build for the future. Once there, they will start on a new chapter in their history.
