Cadillac has made its call, and it’s huge! The American brand has officially locked in Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas as its drivers, and just like that, its Formula 1 project feels more real. You don’t bring in two names like that unless you’re serious about what comes next. There’s intent and confidence too—the kind that says this isn’t only about showing up, it’s about building something that can compete. For a team still finding its place, this feels like the moment things move from idea to reality.

“I’ve had the honour of working with some of the best teams in the world, and I can already see the same professionalism and hunger here,” said Valtteri Bottas. “This is an iconic brand with a big legacy in American motorsport, and to be a part of the story as it enters the world stage of F1 is incredibly special for me. I’m looking forward to representing the American spirit of racing on the greatest circuits in the world. I’d also like to thank Mercedes for their firm support and sportsmanship in facilitating such an exciting step.”

Both drivers have been around long enough to understand how Formula 1 works—the pressure, the politics, and the fine margins that decide everything. With the signing of veterans Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac brings a combined total of 527 race starts and 100 podiums, giving the team a foundation most newcomers lack.

Sergio Pérez summed it up best, adding, “Joining the Cadillac Formula 1 Team is an incredibly exciting new chapter in my career. From our first conversations, I could sense the passion and determination behind this project. It’s an honour to be part of building a team that can develop together so that, in time, we will fight at the very front. Cadillac is a legendary name in American motorsport, and to help bring such a fantastic company to Formula 1 is a huge responsibility, one I’m confident of taking on. I’m proud to be part of such an ambitious and meaningful project from the very beginning. I’m really pleased to be part of such a dynamic line-up, and together I believe we can help shape this team into a real contender, the team of the Americas. We’re counting on support from across the continent – and we want to make everyone proud.”

There were signs, if you noticed them. Months before anything was official, Valtteri Bottas sparked curiosity with a simple post. He filmed himself behind the wheel of a Cadillac Escalade and casually asked, “Do we like seat?” At the time, it seemed like just another quick moment drivers share on social media. Looking back, it feels much more like a clue.

Sergio Pérez, on the other hand, took a completely different path. While Bottas dropped subtle hints, Pérez stayed quiet, letting things play out without fueling speculation. There was no buildup or teasing, just patience as he waited for the right opportunity to present itself.

Earlier in the year, when asked about a possible return, Pérez made it clear he did not want to rush his decision. “If I find a project that motivates me fully to come back, where the team believe in me and where they appreciate my career, my experience and everything I can bring to a team, it would be very attractive to consider it,” he said during a video call from his home in Mexico.

He also shared a timeline that now seems much clearer: “That’s why I’ve given myself at least six months to get all my options on the table and make a decision on what I do next with my career.” Six months later, everything fits. Pérez and Bottas are back on the grid together, joining a Cadillac team that may still have some questions to answer but clearly has plenty of ambition.

Six months later, the wait has paid off. Pérez and Bottas are set to return to the grid together, taking on a new challenge with Cadillac. The team is still finding its rhythm, but it has been built with clear intent and strong support.

The truth? It’s going to take a minute. Formula 1 has a way of humbling new teams, no matter how big the name on the badge is. You don’t just show up and start chasing podiums—it doesn’t work like that. Cadillac is stepping into a grid where everyone else already knows the game inside out, and with very little real-world testing before the season opener in Melbourne on March 8, 2026, the early races are going to be more about learning than anything else.

Still, Cadillac will aim high. Every new team hopes for a surprise, like Romain Grosjean’s strong debut with Haas in 2016. But those kinds of starts are rare. Cadillac will likely struggle to score points at first, and that’s completely normal. This first season is really about settling in and building confidence, race by race.

Before talking about what to expect, it’s important to see what Cadillac has to work with. This isn’t just a bet on potential; they have a line-up full of experience, with two drivers who have spent years racing at the top level in Formula 1.

• Nationality: Finnish
• Born: August 28, 1989
• F1 debut: 2013
• Race starts: 246
• Wins: 10
• Podiums: 67
• Pole positions: 20
• Fastest laps: 19
• Best championship finish: 2nd (2019, 2020)

• Nationality: Mexican
• Born: January 26, 1990
• F1 debut: 2011
• Race starts: 281
• Wins: 6
• Podiums: 39
• Pole positions: 3
• Fastest laps: 12
• Best championship finish: 2nd (2023)

Cadillac has plenty of experience, which should help them get started as a new team. But in Formula 1, past achievements don’t count for much once the racing begins. Realistically, Cadillac will probably spend its first season near the back of the grid, at least to begin with. This isn’t a bad idea. If we look at it, it’s just part of the process: learning fast rather than finishing first.  

Even so, Cadillac has some advantages. Valtteri Bottas brings more than experience—he’s a proven winner with 10 victories, 20 pole positions, and 67 podiums, so he knows what it takes to succeed at the top level. As a 2025 reserve driver, he’s likely already spent time in the simulator with early versions of the 2026 rules. This isn’t an easy way in, but it could help Cadillac better gauge what to expect compared with most new teams.

Real progress starts with testing. Private sessions in late January at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will give Sergio Pérez and Bottas their first real laps in the Ferrari-powered Cadillac. This is when the team will see what works, what doesn’t, and what needs to be fixed quickly. After that, they’ll head to Bahrain for official pre-season testing in mid-February. That’s when the other teams and fans will finally see what Cadillac has been working on.

As team principal Graeme Lowdon put it, “Signing two very experienced racers like Bottas and Checo is a bold signal of intent. They’ve seen it all and they know what it takes to succeed in Formula 1. But more importantly, they understand what it means to help build a team. Their leadership, feedback, race-hardened instincts and of course their speed will be invaluable as we bring this team to life. A big thank you to the team at Mercedes for their co-operation and understanding.”

Looking ahead, this marks only the beginning of something bigger. Once Cadillac settles in and gains a solid understanding of the technical aspects, they can concentrate on further developing the car and might include younger drivers to influence the team’s future. Drivers such as Marta García or Logan Sargeant could join at a later stage. For now, the primary objective is to complete the initial races, learn rapidly, and establish a robust base for what’s ahead.