Fun and behind-the-scenes: Valtteri Bottas teases Sergio Perez and falls off surfboard in Cadillac promo. Valtteri Bottas teases Sergio Perez and falls off a surfboard in a fun behind-the-scenes video.

Bottas and Perez together in Cadillac

Valtteri Bottas is already showing his excitement ahead of his return to Formula 1 with the Cadillac team, where he will partner with Sergio Perez for the 2026 season. Today, Cadillac officially confirmed its driver line-up for the team’s debut, choosing two seasoned drivers who, despite underwhelming results in the past two years, bring a wealth of experience to support a newly formed squad.

The announcement was made in a playful video featuring Bottas, Perez, and actor Keanu Reeves. Both drivers watched the announcement with interest, and Formula 1 recently shared some behind-the-scenes footage capturing these lighthearted moments leading up to the reveal.

The video highlights

The video, directed by German photographer and filmmaker Paul Ripke, who also manages Bottas’ media content, showcases the personalities of the two drivers off the track. In the short clip, Perez is asked about his progress with the Finnish language, to which he jokingly responds, “I have to learn it, but we have time.” Bottas, in his usual humorous style, is asked about his relationship with the Spanish language and replies, “Muy bien, dos tequilas.”

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Later in the afternoon, Formula 1 shared another amusing video in which Bottas takes a fall off a surfboard, complete with the American flag in the background, adding a playful touch to the team’s promotional activities.

The experienced duo of 2026

Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez will form the oldest driver pair on the 2026 grid. Both will begin the season having just celebrated their 36th birthdays, bringing their combined age to 72 years. This surpasses the previous record held by Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, who together totaled 70 years at the start of the season. Despite their age, both drivers are expected to provide invaluable guidance and support to Cadillac’s Formula 1 debut, combining their technical knowledge with on-track expertise to help the team find its footing in the sport.

From playful language jokes to surfboard mishaps, Bottas has already started entertaining fans on social media while highlighting the camaraderie and chemistry he shares with Sergio Perez. As Cadillac prepares for its first Formula 1 season in 2026, these moments offer a glimpse into the personalities behind the helmets, promising both competitive racing and a relatable, fun side to the drivers. Fans can expect an engaging season filled with experience, skill, and a touch of humor from this veteran pairing.