Cadillac’s 2026 Announcement
The Cadillac Formula 1 Team has officially announced its driver lineup for the 2026 season, confirming that Valtteri Bottas and Sergio “Checo” Pérez will spearhead its debut campaign. Backed by General Motors, Cadillac will become F1’s 11th team on the grid, marking a historic expansion for the sport and a major boost for American motorsport.
Both Bottas and Pérez are proven race winners with over 500 race starts combined. Together, they bring 16 victories, dozens of podium finishes, and a wealth of championship experience to Cadillac’s new project. The team has also confirmed Graeme Lowdon as team principal and veteran engineer Russ O’Blenes to lead its power unit program. Preparations are underway with facilities in the U.S. and the U.K. as the team builds toward its debut at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix.
Sergio Pérez’s Return to the Grid
Sergio “Checo” Pérez described joining Cadillac as an “incredibly exciting new chapter” in his Formula 1 career. The Mexican star emphasized that Cadillac is “a legendary name in American motorsport” and said he was inspired by the passion and ambition behind the project. Pérez, who finished runner-up in the 2023 World Championship, is widely regarded as one of the most experienced and consistent drivers on the grid.
His six F1 victories, including a famous triumph at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, have made him a national hero in Mexico and a fan favorite worldwide. After leaving Red Bull at the end of 2024, Pérez’s return with Cadillac signals both a personal comeback and a chance to lead an American team into Formula 1’s future.
Valtteri Bottas Joins an American Legacy
Valtteri Bottas, a 10-time Grand Prix winner and former Mercedes driver, called Cadillac’s project “ambitious but also grounded.” The Finn, known for his speed, teamwork, and technical feedback, said joining Cadillac is “incredibly special” as it allows him to represent “an iconic brand with a big legacy in American motorsport.”
Bottas helped Mercedes secure multiple Constructors’ Championships between 2017 and 2021 and was twice runner-up in the Drivers’ Championship. After leaving Alfa Romeo at the end of 2024, he served as a Mercedes reserve driver in 2025. His return to a full-time race seat under Cadillac represents a second wind in his career, giving him the opportunity to help shape a new team from the ground up.
Cadillac’s Entry into Formula 1
Cadillac’s entry marks the first new F1 team since Haas in 2016. Approved by the FIA in 2025, Cadillac is positioning itself as the “team of the Americas,” combining American engineering power with global motorsport expertise. The team will initially use Ferrari engines and gearboxes in 2026 but is already developing its own power unit program to debut later in the decade.
With operational bases in Indiana, North Carolina, Michigan, and Silverstone in the U.K., Cadillac is investing heavily in infrastructure and talent. Over 200 engineers and staff have already been recruited, with ambitions to grow further as the 2026 regulations come into effect.
Background on the Drivers
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Sergio Pérez: Debuted in F1 in 2011 with Sauber, later raced with McLaren and Force India/Racing Point before joining Red Bull in 2021. Known for his tire management and late-race heroics, Pérez has six wins and nearly 40 podiums in his career. His best championship finish was second in 2023.
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Valtteri Bottas: Entered F1 with Williams in 2013 before moving to Mercedes in 2017. Achieved 10 race wins, over 60 podiums, and 20 pole positions. Bottas was instrumental in Mercedes’ dominance during the turbo-hybrid era and is respected for his technical feedback and consistency.
