Cadillac has officially announced its driver lineup for its inaugural Formula One season in 2026. The American marque has turned to seasoned professionals, locking in multi-year contracts with Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas—two drivers whose wealth of experience promises to anchor the team’s entry into the sport’s elite grid.
Sergio “Checo” Pérez, who was released by Red Bull at the end of 2024, and Valtteri Bottas, formerly with Sauber and currently serving as Mercedes’ reserve driver, were confirmed Tuesday by Cadillac as the drivers to spearhead their Formula 1 campaign.
Together, they bring over 500 race starts, 106 podiums, and 16 Grand Prix victories to the team—a potent blend of leadership, technical acumen, and racecraft.
Dan Towriss, CEO of Cadillac Formula and TWG Motorsports, emphasized how vital such experience would be during the team’s formative phase: “It’s the right combination, the right drivers at the right time.… The experience and leadership of these two individuals stood out among the rest.” Echoing this, GM President Mark Reuss stressed the drivers’ ability to shape an enduring sporting legacy. “Their leadership, feedback, race-hardened instincts and of course their speed will be invaluable as we bring this team to life,” he said.
Valtteri Bottas, speaking with notable enthusiasm, highlighted the rarity and appeal of being part of a brand-new team: “From the moment I began speaking with the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, I felt something different – something ambitious but also grounded. This isn’t just a racing project; it’s a long-term vision.… This is an iconic brand with a big legacy in American motorsport, and to be a part of the story as it enters the world stage of F1 is incredibly special for me.”
Similarly, Pérez expressed his alignment with Cadillac’s vision: “From our first conversations, I could sense the passion and determination behind this project.… To help bring such a fantastic company to F1 is a huge responsibility, one I’m confident of taking on.”
The appointment of Bottas and Pérez effectively eliminates several other drivers rumored to be under consideration. Among those passed over were young talents such as Felipe Drugovich, Frederik Vesti, Jack Doohan, Guanyu Zhou, Alex Dunne, and American Jak Crawford. Mick Schumacher, once seen as a strong candidate, was also overlooked in favor of more experienced hands.
Cadillac’s decision reflects a clear strategic choice: prioritize stability and maturity over untested promise. Towriss remarked, “Despite the amount of experience that we have on the team, everybody’s new.… We think that the experience that these two drivers bring are really what’s most important.” He also acknowledged the importance of nurturing American talent, assuring there would be “a pathway into Formula 1 for an American driver” in the future.
Graeme Lowdon, who joined as Team Principal in December 2024, under the executive oversight of TWG Motorsports, has built a senior engineering staff with alumni from Team Enstone—including F1 CTO Pat Symonds and technical director Nick Chester—giving the team a strong technical foundation before even hitting the track.
On the engine front, Cadillac will not immediately field its own power units. Instead, the team will rely on Ferrari engines through at least 2029 while GM continues development of its “full works” powertrain program, led by Russ O’Blenes, a veteran of GM’s performance and racing sectors.
Notably, Cadillac dismissed rumors linking Christian Horner, former Red Bull team principal, to a leadership role. CEO Towriss confirmed there were no discussions and reaffirmed the team’s loyalty to Lowdon’s direction.
The grand reveal itself had its share of flair—Hollywood star Keanu Reeves took to the stage to introduce the drivers, lending cinematic spectacle to what is a landmark moment for Cadillac’s motorsport ambitions.