Veteran drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez will spearhead Cadillac’s Formula 1 debut in 2026, combining their vast experience to accelerate the American team’s entry into the world’s most competitive motorsport.With a combined record of 527 Grands Prix, 106 podiums, and 16 victories, the duo bring both credibility and resilience to a project that begins from scratch. While Cadillac face a “mountain of work,” both drivers insist their comeback is motivated by passion, teamwork, and the thrill of helping build a new legacy.
Pérez: Rediscovering Joy in F1
After leaving Red Bull two years earlier than planned, Sergio Pérez has spent his sabbatical with family, reflecting on a career spanning over a decade. For him, Cadillac represents a fresh start:
“This project brings me excitement back,” Pérez said. “I want to enjoy racing again, and I believe we can move forward quickly as a team. We could be a big surprise.”
The Mexican admits he turned down other opportunities, including potential Alpine talks, in order to invest in Cadillac’s long-term vision. Rather than chasing more trophies, his target is to “progress with the team and enjoy the ride.”
Bottas: A Reset Mindset
Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes’ long-time wingman to Lewis Hamilton, has spent 2025 embedded with the Silver Arrows as a reserve driver, sharpening his skills in simulator work and engineering meetings.
For Bottas, joining Cadillac echoes his move from Mercedes to Sauber (Alfa Romeo):
“I had to reset my goals then, and I’m doing the same now. We don’t want to finish last — we want to move forward, and I believe with this structure we can get there quickly.”
The Finn stressed the importance of teamwork with Pérez, saying neither has anything left to prove individually. Instead, their mission is to guide Cadillac through F1’s steep learning curve together.
The Cadillac Challenge
Cadillac enter F1 under new 2026 chassis and power unit regulations, running Ferrari-supplied engines. With no old cars available, the squad plans to borrow machinery from rivals for testing until their own car is ready.
Team Principal Graeme Lowdon confirmed that:
- The drivers will get early mileage in Ferrari machinery.
- Pre-season will include three testing sessions (Barcelona and Bahrain).
- The goal is to “hit the ground running in Melbourne.”
Both drivers emphasized patience, admitting the first season will be tough. However, the long-term aim is clear: establish Cadillac as a competitive force, not a backmarker.
A Different Type of Partnership
Unlike traditional driver rivalries, Bottas and Pérez insist their relationship will be built on collaboration, not competition:
Bottas: “We don’t need to prove anything to each other. We’re here to prove this project works.”
Pérez: “Valtteri is a great reference — together, we’ll push the team forward.”
Why Cadillac Picked Bottas and Pérez
The choice reflects more than just pace:
- Experience across top teams (Mercedes, Red Bull, McLaren, Sauber).
- Proven adaptability with different car philosophies.
- A willingness to embrace the grind of building a team from scratch.
As Bottas put it, “We’re not here to stay at the back.”
Can Cadillac Shock F1?
While expectations are tempered, both Bottas and Pérez believe Cadillac’s combination of resources, engineering expertise, and seasoned drivers gives them a fighting chance.
With new regulations leveling the playing field in 2026, the American squad could indeed become the surprise package they aspire to be.
For Pérez, it’s about writing a new final chapter on his terms. For Bottas, it’s about rediscovering the thrill of building something new. And for Cadillac, it’s about proving they belong on motorsport’s biggest stage.
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