Cadillac officially announces Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas for the 2026 Formula 1 season
Cadillac has officially revealed its Formula 1 driver lineup for the 2026 World Championship. In a highly anticipated announcement, the American team confirmed that Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas will return to the Formula 1 grid as full-time drivers, leading Cadillac in its first-ever season in the sport’s top category.
The confirmation came after weeks of speculation and rumors that had circulated in the paddock. Now it is official: two familiar faces of the Formula 1 world, Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, are back as race drivers and will spearhead Cadillac’s debut campaign in 2026. This decision underlines the team’s intention to rely on proven talent and experience as it enters the demanding world of Formula 1.
The official news arrived on Tuesday, August 26, when Cadillac published a series of promotional videos across its social media channels. These clips were followed by a photo featuring a smiling Sergio Perez alongside Valtteri Bottas, symbolizing their return to the starting grid and to the spotlight of Formula 1 competition.
Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas become Cadillac’s 2026 F1 drivers
Valtteri Bottas, the 35-year-old Finnish driver, will leave his current role as Mercedes reserve and test driver at the end of the ongoing season to join Cadillac. The former Stake Sauber driver, born in Nastola in 1989, will bring with him a wealth of experience as he teams up with Sergio Perez under the leadership of Michael Andretti’s project.
For Sergio Perez, born in Guadalajara in 1990, the move represents a major return to the grid after his time at Red Bull Racing came to an end following a turbulent 2024 season alongside Max Verstappen. After a year away from racing, the Mexican driver will once again take a full-time seat and lead a new chapter with Cadillac.
“All eyes on 2026,” Cadillac wrote on its social media channels. “Our driver lineup is already defined.” This short but impactful caption accompanied the photo of the duo, who will form part of the eleventh team on the Formula 1 grid from next year.
Cadillac chooses experience: Perez and Bottas bring strong careers
Sergio Perez
Sergio Perez, widely known by fans as “Checo,” was born on January 26, 1990, in Guadalajara, Mexico. Over the course of his Formula 1 career, he has competed in 284 Grands Prix, showcasing his consistency, resilience, and adaptability. Long considered a great promise of the sport, Perez had to wait many years before finally receiving a call from a genuine top team.
That call came in 2021 from Red Bull Racing, with Christian Horner and Helmut Marko personally making the decision to bring him on board. Before his Red Bull opportunity, Perez had already gained significant experience driving for Sauber, McLaren, Force India, and Racing Point. His arrival in Milton Keynes gave him the chance to compete at the highest level, where he immediately supported teammate Max Verstappen in winning his first World Championship in 2021.
Perez’s stint at Red Bull lasted four seasons, concluding at the end of a difficult 2024 campaign. Despite the challenges, he delivered strong results, including six career victories. His first ever win came in Sakhir in 2020 with Racing Point, followed by five more triumphs as a Red Bull driver. Alongside these victories, Perez has collected 39 podium finishes and 3 pole positions across his long career.
After taking a sabbatical year, Sergio Perez is now preparing to return as a key driver for Cadillac in 2026, bringing not only his racecraft but also invaluable experience in managing pressure at the front of the grid.
Valtteri Bottas
Valtteri Bottas was born on August 28, 1989, in Nastola, Finland. Recognized for his speed and consistency, he made his Formula 1 debut in 2013 with Williams, where his performances quickly earned him recognition and, eventually, a seat with Mercedes in 2017.
With Nico Rosberg retiring after his 2016 World Championship, Mercedes turned to Bottas to partner Lewis Hamilton. The Finnish driver spent five years with the Brackley-based team, contributing significantly to the Constructors’ Championship dominance during the Hamilton-Bottas era. Although he was often cast in the role of supporting Hamilton’s title bids, Bottas himself secured remarkable achievements, including 10 Grand Prix victories, 67 podiums, and an impressive 20 pole positions.
At the end of 2021, Bottas left Mercedes and joined Alfa Romeo (later rebranded as Stake Sauber). After three seasons with the Swiss outfit, the partnership came to a close in late 2024. In 2025, Bottas rejoined Mercedes in the capacity of reserve and development driver, keeping himself active within the paddock.
Like Perez, Bottas now returns to a full-time race seat after a year on the sidelines. With 247 Grands Prix under his belt, the Finn brings extensive knowledge, proven race-winning ability, and the determination to help Cadillac establish itself in its first Formula 1 campaign.
Cadillac’s Formula 1 challenge begins in 2026
The addition of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas signals Cadillac’s clear strategy as it prepares to make its highly anticipated Formula 1 debut in 2026. By selecting two experienced drivers with proven records of success, the American outfit is aiming to combine technical expertise with steady hands capable of guiding the team through the steep learning curve of entering Formula 1.
With the countdown to 2026 already underway, Cadillac’s announcement ensures that the team heads into its debut season with stability and experience behind the wheel, while fans eagerly await to see how the new entrants will perform against the established giants of Formula 1.
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