Cadillac’s First Formula 1 Driver Lineup: Why Signing Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez Could Be a Masterstroke

When Cadillac confirmed its long-rumored entry into Formula 1, few expected the American giant to move so quickly toward securing one of the most experienced and race-winning lineups on the grid. Reports suggest Cadillac is closing in on agreements with Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez for its debut in 2026, creating a pairing that—while unconventional—might prove to be one of the smartest moves a brand-new team has ever made.

At first glance, signing two drivers in their mid-30s who were dropped from F1 at the end of 2024 might not scream excitement. But Cadillac’s strategy goes beyond headline flash. With both Bottas and Pérez, Cadillac would enter Formula 1 with a team of proven race winners, championship runners-up, and veterans who know how to thrive in the sport’s most competitive and most difficult environments.

The decision is pragmatic, calculated, and potentially transformative. Here’s why.

How Cadillac Got Here

Cadillac’s entry into Formula 1 was only formally approved in late 2023, leaving the brand with a short runway to prepare for the new 2026 regulations. Unlike Audi, which has been scaling up its operations for years, Cadillac is effectively starting from scratch.

In the early stages of planning, Cadillac held talks with several drivers across different categories, including Formula 2 champion Felipe Drugovich, Alpine junior Paul Aron, former F1 driver Zhou Guanyu, and even U.S. talents like Colton Herta and Kyle Kirkwood. The romantic ideal was clear: a fresh team giving fresh talent a chance.

But by mid-2024, a strategic meeting between General Motors executives, Cadillac Racing leadership, and TWWG Global stakeholders shifted the focus. Experience—not youth—was prioritized. For a new team with limited time to develop systems, tools, and culture, having drivers who have been there and done it at the top level was deemed invaluable.

That shift accelerated talks with Bottas and Pérez. Main contract terms were agreed weeks ago, though final signatures have been slowed by details—particularly Pérez’s insistence on watertight protections after his messy Red Bull exit. Yet the outcome now looks inevitable: Cadillac will unveil both drivers together as the foundation of its F1 debut.

Why Bottas and Pérez?

The decision to pair Bottas and Pérez is rooted in practicality. For Cadillac, entering F1 is less about instant podiums and more about building a resilient, credible operation.

Both drivers bring:

Proven success: Bottas has 10 Grand Prix victories, while Pérez has six. Both have finished as runners-up in the world championship.

Big-team pedigree: Bottas thrived for years alongside Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, while Pérez played a crucial role in Red Bull’s constructors’ dominance alongside Max Verstappen.

Survival skills: Bottas endured the lean years at Sauber, while Pérez weathered Force India’s financial collapse, even helping to save the team legally in 2018 before winning with its successor, Racing Point.

Adaptability: Both have raced in championship-winning machines as well as backmarker cars, giving Cadillac a wide spectrum of knowledge to tap into as it builds.

Equally important is the fact that Cadillac expects to be at the back of the grid in 2026, potentially with a sizable performance gap to established teams. In that environment, rookies could be demoralized quickly, while experienced pros like Bottas and Pérez can provide consistent feedback and maintain morale.

The new team also plans extensive simulator work and possibly testing older cars purchased from rivals. Having two veterans accelerate this process provides Cadillac with stability from day one.

The Conservatism Question

Of course, there’s another way to view the decision: as overly cautious.

By the time Cadillac debuts in 2026, both Bottas and Pérez will be 36 years old. Their presence may symbolize reliability, but it also underscores that they are at the twilight of their careers. Neither represents a long-term bet, nor the excitement of fresh talent breaking into the sport.

Their exits from the grid were also abrupt and bruising. Pérez was ousted by Red Bull after struggling to match Verstappen’s relentless pace. Bottas, once tipped to spearhead Audi’s new era, was instead dropped by Sauber in favor of younger talent. Cadillac risks being seen as a “safe haven” for cast-offs rather than a bold disruptor.

But that perception may miss the point. Experience is not a compromise when survival is at stake. For Cadillac, avoiding rookie mistakes could be the difference between sinking and staying afloat in its first three years.

The Bigger Picture

Cadillac’s decision also rejects a more romantic narrative about what new teams should represent. Many fans hoped that fresh F1 entries would open doors for rising stars, especially American ones, given the sport’s rapid growth in the United States. Names like Jack Crawford, Logan Sargeant, or IndyCar’s Colton Herta felt like natural fits.

Yet Cadillac’s leadership concluded that F1’s brutal environment is no place for sentiment. Unlike Sauber (soon to become Audi), which could afford to nurture a rookie like Gabriel Bortoleto alongside Nico Hülkenberg, Cadillac has no such cushion. A rookie would likely waste their first seasons fighting machinery, not showing talent.

Still, Cadillac hasn’t completely closed the door. Figures like Mick Schumacher are being considered for reserve and development roles, while the longer-term goal—perhaps by 2028 or 2029—is to introduce American drivers once the team has found stability.

A Rare All-Winner Debut Lineup

One thing that cannot be understated: attracting race-winning drivers is an extremely rare feat for a brand-new F1 team.

The last time a new team debuted with proven winners was Lotus in 2010, signing Heikki Kovalainen and Jarno Trulli. Before that, Jacques Villeneuve fronted BAR’s entry in 1999.

Most fresh outfits must settle for rookies, pay drivers, or veterans long past their prime. By contrast, Bottas and Pérez still carry respect in the paddock and credibility among fans. Their choice to join Cadillac over possible alternatives like Alpine suggests real faith in the project—and sends a strong message that Cadillac’s entry is serious.

What This Means for Cadillac’s Future

For Cadillac, signing Bottas and Pérez is about minimizing risk in the short term while building foundations for the long term.

Short term (2026–2027): Focus on finishing races, building infrastructure, and developing technical processes. Veteran feedback is crucial.

Medium term (2028–2029): Transition to a mixed lineup, possibly retaining one veteran while promoting an American or younger star.

Long term (2030 and beyond): Establish Cadillac not just as a participant but as a podium contender with its own pipeline of talent.

If Cadillac is still fielding lineups like Bottas-Pérez by 2029, then criticism of conservatism will be valid. But as a starting point, this approach buys Cadillac time to learn and grow.

Conclusion: A Calculated Gamble

In Formula 1, perception often overshadows reality. To some, Cadillac signing Bottas and Pérez looks like recycling discarded drivers rather than building a bold future. But dig deeper, and the decision reflects clear-eyed pragmatism.

Cadillac is entering the sport with less preparation time than any modern team. It will be underpowered, underdeveloped, and under constant scrutiny. What it cannot afford are rookie errors, weak feedback loops, or drivers unprepared for the grind of racing at the back.

In Bottas and Pérez, Cadillac secures two hardened professionals who have seen it all—winning races, enduring failures, and surviving the political storms of F1’s biggest teams. Together, they provide Cadillac with a steady platform on which to build.

Whether this proves to be a masterstroke or a missed opportunity will depend on how Cadillac evolves in the years ahead. But one thing is clear: in a sport where new teams often stumble before they walk, Cadillac’s first steps look remarkably sure-footed.