Will be teammates in the future: Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas © POOL / UMIT BEKTAS

Cadillac starts with Perez and Bottas in debut year

Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas will return to Formula 1 next season. The Cadillac team, which debuts in 2026, announced the signing of the two experienced drivers and multiple Grand Prix winners on Tuesday.

August 26, 2025

From: apa/Reuters

The Mexican and the Finn have each signed multi-year contracts, the General Motors-backed team announced, without providing further details. Perez has won six races in Formula 1, Bottas ten.

Both spent years alongside two greats of the sport: Perez drove with four-time world champion Max Verstappen at Red Bull, and Bottas as a sidekick to seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. "We believe their experience, leadership, and technical know-how are exactly what we need," said team CEO Dan Towriss in a video conference. "It's the right combination, the right drivers at the right time, and we are grateful for their trust in us and this project."

Valtteri Bottas (center) and Sergio Perez drive for Cadillac. © POOL / UMIT BEKTAS

Perez said: "I am delighted to be part of such a dynamic team, and I am convinced that together we can build this team into a true title contender, the Team of the Americas. We are counting on the support of the entire continent – ​​and we want to make everyone proud." Bottas made a similar statement in a team statement: "This is an iconic brand with a great heritage in American motorsport, and it is very special for me to be part of this history as it now enters the global stage of Formula 1." Bottas is Mercedes' reserve driver this season after having to leave Sauber in 2024.

Perez wants to rehabilitate himself

Together, Perez and Bottas (both 35) have completed more than 500 Grands Prix and have reached the podium 106 times. Towriss said that Perez is eager to put his final season with Red Bull in 2024, in which he suffered a dramatic drop in performance, behind him. "We had questions, we were skeptical, and he answered all our questions and passed our tests with flying colors," he explained. Towriss also denied speculation about a possible involvement of former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. There have been no discussions, and there are no plans, Towriss said.

Cadillac will be the eleventh team to compete in Formula 2026 starting with the 1 season. The US racing team will use Ferrari engines until 2029 and hopes that General Motors will have developed its own power unit by then.