The Formula 1 grid will undergo a major shake-up in 2026 with Cadillac’s debut as an official team. The historic American brand, backed by General Motors and TWG Motorsports, will be betting big from its first season by announcing two experienced drivers as its starters: Mexico’s Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez and Finland’s Valtteri Bottas.
A new opportunity for two veterans
At 35, Pérez will return to the top flight after leaving Red Bull in 2024, a controversial decision that left him out despite having a contract in place until 2026. The Guadalajara native racked up six wins and 29 podium finishes during his time in F1, including his historic victory in Sakhir in 2020 with Racing Point and his five wins with Red Bull between 2021 and 2023. Now, with the arrival of Cadillac, he will have the opportunity to contribute his experience to a project that seeks to consolidate itself in the medium term.
For his part, Bottas, who racked up 10 victories and 20 pole positions during his time with Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton’s teammate, is also returning after being relegated in 2024. The Finn sees this new challenge as a unique opportunity to be part of a team that is born with great aspirations, although he is aware that the initial road will be challenging.
Cadillac’s vision
Team principal Graeme Lowdon emphasized that signing two drivers with such extensive experience is a statement of intent. “They have seen it all and know what it takes to succeed in Formula 1. More importantly, they understand what it means to build a team from scratch,” he said.
The team will be based in the United States and the United Kingdom—Fishers (Indiana), Charlotte (North Carolina), and Silverstone—seeking to merge American engineering with European technical tradition. According to Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports, the decision to sign Pérez and Bottas was guided by their leadership and ability to accelerate the team’s growth. Although Cadillac plans to bring in American drivers in the future, for its debut it preferred to go with two names with proven track records in the championship.
Driver statements
Perez described this new chapter as a boost of motivation after his difficult departure from Red Bull:
“It’s an honor to join a project with so much passion and determination. We want to build a team that represents the American continent and make it proud. I am ready to put all my experience at the service of Cadillac and enjoy this new stage.”
Bottas echoed his teammate’s enthusiasm and emphasized the historic nature of the union:
“Cadillac is an iconic name in motorsport. Being part of its arrival in F1 is something special. We have hard work ahead of us, but the potential is enormous and I am convinced that we will be able to grow quickly.”
An ambitious project
Despite expectations, Lowdon himself admitted that the early days will not be easy and that Cadillac will most likely start from the back of the grid. However, the Pérez-Bottas duo, with more than 500 Grand Prix races and over 100 podium finishes between them, represents the ideal foundation on which to build the project.
With the momentum of Hollywood—the brand announced its arrival in F1 with an event starring Keanu Reeves—and the media buzz surrounding series such as Drive to Survive, Cadillac wants to take advantage of Formula 1’s increased global exposure to establish itself as “the team of the Americas.”
2026 will mark not only the return of Pérez and Bottas, but also the beginning of a new era for Cadillac in the premier class of motorsport.