Cadillac announces Bottas and Perez as drivers

Ahead of their 2026 debut, the Cadillac has revealed Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez as drivers for the team. The announcement, which was made on Tuesday, solidifies Cadillac’s move to join the grid next season. 

Ever since the FIA accepted Cadillac’s application to be F1’s 11th team, the question has been “who will race for them?” Cadillac had said they wanted their drivers to represent the American heritage and the general notion was that they will pick experienced hands over fresh talent, and that is exactly what the latest news from them signifies. 

Bottas, who is currently the reserve driver for Mercedes, made his debut in 2013 and has raced with four teams since then. Over the years, he has won 10 races and made 67 podium appearances, with a total of 1797 points earned.

The 35-year-old has finished as runner-up for the world championship twice, during his partnership with Lewis Hamilton in Mercedes. 

Perez lost his Red Bull seat at the end of last season and is on break from the sport. He has a record of 6 wins and 39 podium appearances from a career spanning 13 years. Checo, as he is fondly called, has earned 1638 points since 2011.

The highlight of his career so far has been his collaboration with four-time world champion Max Verstappen at Red Bull, where he helped the team win the constructors’ title in 2022 and 2023. 

The two drivers have a history of racing in successful teams and being paired with two of the best drivers on the circuit, which should count for something.

Bottas has not seen much action in his reserve role, and Perez’s ousting from Red Bull has been viewed by many as unjust. The fact that they have no serious engagement makes them the perfect pick. 

The latest announcement by Cadillac has given the 2026 season a new flavour, as it’s worth looking forward to seeing how the new team performs and what having 22 drivers on the circuit will be like.