Cadillac Secures Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez for 2026 Formula 1 Debut
Cadillac has signed experienced Formula 1 drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez for their inaugural 2026 F1 season, prioritizing their combined 16 wins and 527 starts.
Subscribe to unlock this story
We really don't like cutting you off, but you've reached your monthly limit. At just $5/month, subscriptions are how we keep this project going. Start your free 7-day trial today!
Get StartedHave an account? Sign in
Overview
- Cadillac has officially signed veteran Formula 1 drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez to lead their debut team in the 2026 F1 season, aiming for a strong start.
- Both Bottas and Perez, each 35 years old, join Cadillac after being released by their previous teams, expressing excitement to begin a fresh chapter with the new F1 entrant.
- Cadillac's strategic decision to sign Bottas and Perez emphasizes experience, leveraging their combined 16 wins, 527 race starts, and 106 podium appearances in Formula 1.
- The new Cadillac F1 team will initially utilize Ferrari power units from 2026 until 2029, before transitioning to General Motors' proprietary power units for future seasons.
- This move by Cadillac signals a significant entry into Formula 1, with the team opting for established talent over American drivers to ensure competitive performance from the outset.
Report issue
Read both sides in 5 minutes each day
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by emphasizing Cadillac's decision to "bypass an American driver" for its F1 debut, despite the team's stated priority for experience. The narrative repeatedly highlights the absence of an American driver, using evaluative language like "played it safe" and structuring the report around this perceived deviation from an implied American-focused vision.
"Cadillac played it safe with its first Formula 1 lineup, bypassing an American driver for series veterans Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez."
Associated PressArticles (3)
FAQ
Cadillac prioritized experience for their inaugural Formula 1 season, choosing Bottas and Perez for their combined 16 wins, 527 starts, and 106 podiums to help establish a competitive foundation from day one.
Cadillac will use Ferrari power units from 2026 until 2029, after which they plan to switch to General Motors' own proprietary power units.
Cadillac's F1 team will be based primarily in a UK factory near the Silverstone circuit, with additional U.S. facilities in Fishers, Indiana, and Warren, Michigan. GM also plans to open a dedicated F1 engine factory in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2026.
Cadillac's main drivers are experienced international veterans rather than American drivers, though American Formula 2 driver Jak Crawford is reportedly pushing for a reserve driver role.
Cadillac’s entry marks the first new F1 team since 2016 and signals a major move by an American manufacturer into the sport, aiming to blend engineering innovation with competitive racing to inspire future production vehicles.
History
- This story does not have any previous versions.