Cadillac confirms 2026 F1 driver lineup

After months of speculation, the incoming Cadillac Formula 1 team confirmed its driver lineup for the 2026 season.

In an announcement on social media, the team confirmed recent rumors that veteran drivers Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas would be the team’s first two drivers. Both Pérez and Bottas were on the grid during the 2024 campaign -- Pérez with Red Bull and Bottas with Sauber -- but were replaced ahead of the 2025 season.

While Bottas is currently a reserve driver with Mercedes, Pérez has spent a year away from the grid.

The pairing gives F1’s newest team two incredibly experienced drivers, each with a championship pedigree. Bottas was part of a Mercedes team that won five Constructors’ Championships during his time in Brackley, while Pérez helped Red Bull win a pair of Constructors’ Championships during his time alongside Max Verstappen.

As Cadillac looks to bring its own power unit program online, having a pair of experienced drivers giving their feedback will certainly give that movement a boost.

”From the moment I began speaking with the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, I felt something different – something ambitious but also grounded,” said Bottas in a statement to the media, including SB Nation. “This isn’t just a racing project; it’s a long-term vision. 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.

“I’ve had the honor of working with some of the best teams in the world, and I can already see the same professionalism and hunger here. 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. I’m looking forward to representing the American spirit of racing on the greatest circuits in the world. I’d also like to thank Mercedes for their unwavering support and sportsmanship in facilitating such an exciting step.”

“Joining the Cadillac Formula 1 Team is an incredibly exciting new chapter in my career. From our first conversations, I could sense the passion and determination behind this project,” said Pérez. “It’s an honor to be part of a building a team that can develop together so that, in time, we will fight at the very front. Cadillac is a legendary name in American motorsport, and to help bring such a fantastic company to Formula 1 is a huge responsibility, one I’m confident of taking on.

“I’m proud to be part of such an ambitious and meaningful project from the very beginning. I’m really pleased to be part of such a dynamic line-up, and together I believe we can help shape this team into a real contender, the team of the Americas. We’re counting on support from across the continent – and we want to make everyone proud.”

Cadillac Team Principal Graeme Lowdon described the news as a “statement of intent” from F1’s newest team.

“Signing two very experienced racers like Bottas and Checo is a bold signal of intent,” said Lowdon. “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. A big thank you to the team at Mercedes for their co-operation and understanding.”

Here is the official announcement from Cadillac, featuring none other than Keanu Reeves. The actor is fronting a documentary covering Cadillac’s journey to the F1 grid:

F1 returns to action this week with the Dutch Grand Prix. But the newest team on the grid is inching closer to their own debut, now with a pair of veterans along for the ride.