Experience Triumphs: Cadillac Secures Bottas and Pérez for 2026 F1® Debut

In a highly anticipated announcement that had been a topic of fervent speculation, the Cadillac Formula 1 Team confirmed the signing of two seasoned Grand Prix winners, Valtteri Bottas and Sergio “Checo” Pérez, to spearhead their entry into Formula 1 in 2026. The move, officially announced from the team's headquarters in Fishers, Indiana, and Silverstone, UK, signals a clear and ambitious strategy for the new American outfit.

With a combined total of over 500 Grand Prix starts, 16 victories, and more than 100 podiums, the pairing of Bottas and Pérez brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise. The team emphasized that this duo's primary role will be to use their deep development experience and leadership to establish a strong competitive culture from the outset.

“From the moment I began speaking with the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, I felt something different – something ambitious but also grounded,” said Bottas, a 10-time Grand Prix winner. "This isn’t just a racing project; it’s a long-term vision. It's not every day that you get a chance to be part of something being built from the ground up and helping shape it into something that truly belongs on the F1 grid.”

Pérez, a six-time Grand Prix winner, echoed the sentiment, stating, “Joining the Cadillac Formula 1 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 honor to be part of building a team that can develop together so that, in time, we will fight at the very front.” He also expressed his pride in representing a legendary American brand and helping to establish the "team of the Americas."

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The decision to sign the veteran drivers was a deliberate choice to ensure the team can hit the ground running amid a period of significant technical regulation changes in 2026. Both drivers were without a race seat for the 2025 season after departing their previous teams, but their proven track records and complementary skills made them a top target for Cadillac. As team principal Graeme Lowdon stated, "Signing two very experienced racers like Bottas and Checo is a bold signal of intent... They understand what it means to help build a team."

Backed by TWG Motorsports and General Motors (GM), the team will operate from three key motorsport hubs, blending American engineering with European racing expertise. This multi-continent approach, with bases in Fishers, Indiana; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Silverstone, UK, is a testament to the global nature of the project.

Dan Towriss, CEO of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, highlighted the perfect blend of talent and maturity in the new drivers. “They’re not just accomplished racers, they’re builders, collaborators, and professionals who will help define what the Cadillac Formula 1 Team stands for,” he said. GM President Mark Reuss added that the drivers are "a welcome addition to the Cadillac racing family" and that the project will create "an extraordinary legacy for Cadillac, GM and the sport."