Coulthard believes in Valtteri Bottas: “He has an advantage”

The first season is always the first. Cadillac is preparing for a high-stakes debut in Formula 1, but it will have the support of two exceptional drivers. Both Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez come with the prestigious experience of having served as vice world champions. Valtteri Bottas previously had the honor of supporting Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, while Perez helped Max Verstappen at Red Bull.

Bottas better prepared than Perez

Both drivers will have the opportunity to support Cadillac in the 2026 season, but who has the upper hand going into the new year? David Coulthard, speaking on the podcast ‘Up to Speed,’ shared his opinion: “I believe Bottas is better prepared. He comes with information from Mercedes. He worked with Mercedes in 2025, spent time in the simulator, and things like that.”

“I’m a bit concerned about Perez,” the former F1 driver continued. “He really enjoyed his year off. I don’t doubt his commitment. They are professionals. They know they need to work for the good of the team.”

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Cadillac’s choice,” David Coulthard concluded. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the two drivers they have. They may not be the fastest driver pairing in Formula 1, as their careers have shown so far, but with them you are certainly safe. These are two drivers who don’t need to destroy cars to prove they are fast, so it’s an intelligent choice.”

David Coulthard views Cadillac’s 2026 driver pairing as a strategic “safe bet” that prioritizes stability over raw, youthful aggression. While Valtteri Bottas holds a distinct advantage due to his recent technical continuity with Mercedes, the veteran experience of both Bottas and Perez should provide Cadillac with the reliable feedback necessary to navigate the steep learning curve of their inaugural Formula 1 season.