Following months of speculation, Cadillac Formula 1 confirmed Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez will drive for the sport’s 11th squad, making its debut on the grid in 2026, when new technical regulations will apply.
“From the moment I began speaking with the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, I felt something different, something ambitious but also grounded,” said Bottas, a 10-time Grand Prix winner.
“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.”
Bottas has been acting as reserve driver for Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team in 2025, following his departure from Alfa Romeo Sauber after three seasons.
Previously, the 35-year-old drove for Mercedes from 2017 to 2024 alongside seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, achieving 10 victories, 20 pole positions, 67 podiums, and contributing to the Brackley-based outfit’s five Constructors’ championships.
“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,” added the Finn racer.
With more than 500 combined Grand Prix starts and over 100 podiums, the experienced pairing brings valuable expertise to Cadillac F1, breaking new ground at the pinnacle of motorsport.
“Joining the Cadillac Formula 1 Team is an incredibly exciting new chapter in my career,” Perez outlined. “From our first conversations, I could sense the passion and determination behind this project.
“It’s an honor to be part of 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.”
Across 14 seasons in Formula One, the Mexican driver competed with Sauber, McLaren, Force India, Racing Point, and Red Bull Racing, leaving the Milton Keynes-based team by 2024 as both parties agreed to part ways.
Over four seasons together, Perez helped Red Bull achieve two FIA Formula One Constructors championships, partnering four-time world champion Max Verstappen.
Furthermore, he claimed five race wins (all on street circuits) and three pole positions, stepping onto the podium on 29 occasions, representing the brand.
In 2025, he took the year off to spend quality time with his family while assessing his future in motorsport.
Building an F1 Team from Scratch
As Team Principal, Cadillac F1 appointed Graeme Lowdon, a former Marussia chief executive, who played a pivotal role as an advisor on GM entry for the last two years.
Addressing the signing of Bottas and Perez, Lowdon commented: “Signing two very experienced racers like Bottas and Checo is a bold signal of intent. 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.”
The new squad is backed by TWG Motorsports and General Motors (GM).
TWG Global controls Andretti Global, whose majority owners are CEO Dan Towriss and Mark Walter.
Towriss was emphatic in the importance of the new driver line-up, outlining: “This moment marks more than just a line-up announcement. It’s the beginning of a bold new chapter in American motorsport.”
Andretti still holds an ownership stake in the company, having originally applied to join the FIA Formula One World Championship from 2026.
GM will become a Formula 1 power unit manufacturer starting in the 2028-2029 season, having reached a multi-year agreement with Ferrari to supply Cadillac with its power units and gearboxes, beginning in 2026.