The moment Formula 1 fans have been waiting for just got real. After months of speculation about which drivers would pilot Cadillac’s groundbreaking American F1 entry, the answer is here: Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez will make history as the team’s inaugural driver lineup for 2026.

This isn’t just another driver announcement. Cadillac’s leadership team’s selection of these two veterans culminated months of careful consideration, representing a calculated gamble on experience over youth. Rather than pursuing younger prospects or American drivers, the team strategically chose proven performers who bring a combined 527 Formula 1 starts and 16 Grands Prix victories to their ambitious operation.

Why Did Cadillac Choose Experience Over Potential?

The decision to sign both Bottas and Perez reflects the team’s realistic approach to F1’s unforgiving competitive landscape. Bottas, the 35-year-old Finnish driver, returns to full-time racing after spending 2025 as Mercedes’ reserve driver, bringing 10 Grand Prix victories and 67 podiums from his 246 career starts.

His championship-fighting experience with Mercedes from 2017 to 2021 provides crucial insight into what separates elite teams from the midfield. That knowledge becomes invaluable when building a program from scratch.

Meanwhile, Perez makes his F1 comeback after Red Bull released him despite having two years remaining on his contract. The Mexican veteran’s six career victories and experience across multiple teams, including his partnership with Max Verstappen during Red Bull’s dominant 2022-2023 campaigns, offer a unique perspective on adapting to different organizational cultures.

“We believe their experience, their leadership, and their technical acumen really are what we need,” explained CEO Dan Towriss during the announcement. “It’s the right combination, the right drivers at the right time. And we’re humbled by their belief in us, in this project, and couldn’t be more excited to take this next step with them.”

Team Principal Graeme Lowdon emphasized the team-building aspect: “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.”

How Does This F1 Entry Connect Cadillac’s Racing Heritage?

This F1 entry represents more than just another team joining the grid. It’s the culmination of General Motors’ storied motorsports heritage that extends from NASCAR’s earliest days to IndyCar triumphs. The project emerged from the controversial Andretti Global bid, transforming when TWG Global, led by Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Mark Walter, assumed control with GM’s direct involvement.

The transformation shows how American automotive giants view F1’s global platform differently than ever before. This isn’t just about participation; it’s about bringing American engineering excellence to motorsport’s most prestigious stage.

Both drivers expressed genuine enthusiasm for the opportunity to be part of something unprecedented. “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,” stated Bottas.

Perez echoed that sentiment, adding, “From our first conversations, I could sense the passion and determination behind this project. It’s an honor to be part of building a team that can develop together so that, in time, we will fight at the very front.”

With veteran leadership secured, Cadillac’s 2026 F1 debut promises to blend American automotive excellence with championship-proven talent. The pairing of Bottas and Perez gives the team exactly what it needs: drivers who know how to win, develop cars, and build championship-caliber programs. That combination marks a new chapter in motorsports history, one that could reshape how American manufacturers approach global racing.