Cadillac, the new team joining the F1 grid in 2026, has announced the signings of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, two highly experienced F1 drivers that have taken a break from being permanently in the drivers’ seat for this season. However, the new American team have chosen the two to for their 2026 line-up as they join F1 for the first time.
Sergio ‘Checo’ Perez previously drove for Red Bull Racing before leaving and taking some time away from the sport. The talented driver has driven for more than three teams, and has helped Red Bull Racing win the Teams’ Championship in 2022 and 2023.
“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.” Perez said when speaking about the return. “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. Cadillac is a legendary name in American motorsport, and to help bring such a fantastic company to Formula 1 is a huge responsibility, one I’m confident of taking on.
“I’m proud to be part of such an ambitious and meaningful project from the very beginning. I’m really pleased to be part of such a dynamic line-up, and together I believe we can help shape this team into a real contender, the team of the Americas. We’re counting on support from across the continent- and we want to make everyone proud.”
Valtteri Bottas has been the Mercedes reserve driver for 2025, after leaving Kick Sauber at the end of 2024. Before then, he was in the drivers’ seat for the Silver Arrows, helping the team win the Championship from 2017 to 2021.
Talking about the decision to get back on the grid with the 11th F1 team, Bottas said, “From the moment I began speaking with the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, I felt something different- something ambitious but also grounded. 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 build from the ground up and helping shape it into something that truly belongs on the F1 grid. I’ve had the honor of working with some of the best teams in the world, and I can already see the same professionalism and hunger here.
“This is an iconic brand with a big legacy in American motorsport, and to be a part of the story as it enters the world stage of F1 is incredibly special for me. I’m looking forward to representing the American spirit of racing on the greatest circuits in the world. I’d also like to thank Mercedes for their unwavering support and sportsmanship in facilitating such an exciting step.”
Dan Towriss, CEO of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team and TWG Motorsports, 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 who will help define what the Cadillac Formula 1 Team stands for. This moment marks more than just a line-up announcement. It’s the beginning of a bold new chapter in American motorsport.’
