Cadillac, the team owned by General Motors, has confirmed that Valtteri Bottas will take the role of lead driver for their official Formula 1 debut in 2026. The Finnish driver brings a wealth of experience and leadership to guide the new American project as it enters the highly competitive World Championship.
Dutch media outlet RN365 reports that Cadillac has secured Valtteri Bottas as their first official signing. This move marks the team’s first concrete steps ahead of their 2026 Formula 1 entry, and they have chosen a name synonymous with experience and consistency. Currently serving as Mercedes’ third driver, Bottas will act as the cornerstone of Cadillac’s ambitious debut, providing technical expertise and stability for the fledgling team.
Bottas returns to a full-time F1 seat with Cadillac
According to sources cited by RacingNews365 and Formula.hu, the official announcement is expected next week. At 35 years old, Bottas has long been linked to the Cadillac project and has openly expressed his desire to return to a full-time position on the grid. After spending the past year behind the scenes in the role of Mercedes test and reserve driver, he will now regain a permanent race seat.
Bottas’ track record speaks for itself: 10 Grand Prix victories, 20 pole positions, and 58 podium finishes achieved with Mercedes between 2017 and 2021. These accomplishments make him one of the most experienced and reliable drivers in modern Formula 1. For Cadillac, which will expand the grid to 11 teams for the first time since 2016, his presence is a critical addition to accelerate the team’s development and establish a competitive foundation.
Preparation for the debut and partnership with Lowdon
The team, led by team principal Graeme Lowdon, plans to schedule several TPC test days in the second half of 2025 using previous-generation cars, likely a Ferrari chassis, to prepare the structure ahead of their official debut. Bottas is expected to join the team soon to begin integrating with the engineers and familiarizing himself with the technical project.
Lowdon already has a professional relationship with the Finnish driver, having previously worked as manager for Zhou Guanyu, Bottas’ former teammate at Sauber. This personal and professional connection is expected to facilitate Bottas’ smooth transition into the new American team environment.
The question of the second driver
The second seat at Cadillac remains undecided. In recent weeks, Sergio Pérez has been linked to the team, although Alpine has also expressed interest in the Mexican driver. At the same time, there are rumors of younger talents being considered, which could represent a bold but risky move given the challenges of managing a debut season in Formula 1 without a technically experienced teammate.
For now, Bottas is the only confirmed element of Cadillac’s project. His experience, technical development skills, and leadership will be essential to guiding the team through the complex and demanding process of entering the Formula 1 World Championship. The 2026 season will also introduce a new era of technical and regulatory changes, making his role even more critical in establishing Cadillac as a competitive presence on the grid.
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