The Cadillac F1 team confirmed its driver lineup, Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, for their debut season, putting an end to the months of rumors and speculation. Both drivers will be rejoining the grid after a year’s hiatus.
On Tuesday, (26 Aug), the team dropped a video on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting American culture through cinematic shots. Veteran Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves can also be seen in a video welcoming both drivers.
“Signing two very experienced racers like Bottas and Checo [Pérez] is a bold signal of intent.” Cadillac Team boss Graeme Lowdon welcomed the announcement with positive remarks, “They’ve seen it all and they know what it takes to succeed in Formula One. 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.” Lowdon added.
Both drivers have signed multi-year contracts; however, the exact nature of the contracts is not confirmed.
Perez and Bottas were racing for Red Bull and Sauber, respectively, during the 2024 season, before losing their seats ahead of the 2025 season. Bottas is currently Mercedes’ reserve driver, and Perez is not signed with any team in any capacity for the current season.
Talking about his upcoming opportunity for the new team, Bottas said, “From the moment I began speaking with the Cadillac Team, I felt something different, something ambitious but also grounded. This isn’t just a racing project; it’s a long-term vision.
It’s not every day that you get a chance to be part of something being built from the ground up and helping shape it into something that truly belongs on the F1 grid.” 35-year-old added.
On his part, Perez also expressed his enthusiasm for his upcoming stint with the North American team in a video statement posted on Mexican’s social media. He said, “Joining the Cadillac Team is an incredibly exciting new chapter in my career. From our first conversations, I could sense the passion and determination behind this project,” the former Force India driver added.
The pair will bring a wealth of experience to the outfit. It would be the most experienced duo on the grid; for context, the combined age of both drivers is 71 years older than any other driver pairing on the grid. Both drivers have won multiple races with their former teams, making them a reliable pair for the new team.
It’s worth noting that earlier this year, Cadillac’s entry into F1 was approved. Since then, speculation has surrounded the driver lineup, with more than 12 names considered for the seats. Cadillac will start its F1 journey next year with the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, which will mark the start of the season.
Keep Reading
