Cadillac F1 team sign Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas as experienced driver pairing for debut campaign in 2026 | F1 News

New Formula 1 entrant Cadillac have signed Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas as their drivers for their debut campaign in 2026.

The experienced duo will both return after a year away from the grid, with Perez having been axed by Red Bull at the end of a disappointing 2024 campaign, just months after he had signed a contract extension with the Milton Keynes squad.

Bottas, who drove alongside Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes from 2017 to 2021, has been serving as the Silver Arrows’ reserve driver during the 2025 season after Sauber chose not to renew his expiring deal at the end of 2024.

Sky Sports News understands they have both signed multi-year contracts.

In both cases, it was initially unclear as to whether their F1 careers were over, but Cadillac’s clear desire for experience in the cockpit has afforded them each another chance in motorsport’s elite category.

Team principal Graeme Lowdon declared the double signing a “bold signal of intent”, while CEO Dan Towriss said: “This moment marks more than just a line-up announcement. It’s the beginning of a bold new chapter in American motorsport.”

Lowdon added: “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.”

Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle believes the signing of the duo is a good move by Cadillac, although he warned the team may take time to gel.

“That’s a great driver line-up,” he wrote on X. “The team needs experience and direction in year one, and can’t afford to have rookies damaging cars when all the resources will be heavily stretched.

“They’ll probably have to park their early frustrations as the team gets up and running, especially with such a dramatic regulation reset.”

‘A huge responsibility’ – Perez hopes to build Cadillac into ‘the team of the Americas’

Many had expected Cadillac, who are entering F1 as the sport’s 11th team alongside American car manufacturer General Motors, to sign at least one US driver but the new outfit have opted to pair drivers with a combined total of 527 starts, 106 podiums and 16 race wins.

Perez, 35, will contest his 15th season in F1. The six-time grand prix winner has also previously driven for Sauber, McLaren, Force India and Racing Point, and claimed a career-best second-placed Drivers’ Championship finish behind team-mate Max Verstappen as Red Bull won the constructors’ title in 2023.

“Joining the Cadillac Formula 1 team is an incredibly exciting new chapter in my career,” said Perez.

“From our first conversations, I could sense the passion and determination behind this project. It’s an honour 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.

“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.”

‘It’s a long-term vision’ – Bottas excited by Cadillac challenge

Bottas, who turns 36 on Thursday, began his F1 career with Williams in 2013 before being paired with Hamilton in 2017.

The Finn has 10 grand prix victories and 20 pole positions to his name, and finished second to Hamilton in the Drivers’ Championship in 2019 and 2020. He spent three seasons with Sauber after being replaced by George Russell at Mercedes.

“From the moment I began speaking with the Cadillac Formula 1 team, I felt something different – something ambitious but also grounded,” said Bottas.

“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 honour 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.”

Analysis: Cadillac secure their top targets – with points to prove

Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater reporting from Cadillac’s Silverstone HQ:

“The team say that they conducted a proper and thorough search to decide who should be driving for them next year but, ultimately, they are pleased to announce that they have gained their top two targets.

“In terms of Bottas, we understand that other teams were interested in signing him as well, with Alpine particularly interested in exploring the prospect of him driving for them. But he has chosen to come here with Cadillac and he and Perez will be quite a formidable pairing.

“Bottas and Perez have both been out of Formula 1 competition for this year but leadership at this team are not entirely dismayed by that; they think both have something to prove on their competitive return.

“Both have talked about how excited they are by this new project and that they have already bought into, as they describe it, the spirit of the team.

“Will they have the car to perform to the best of their abilities? That is a big question with what is a new outfit racing against time to produce a car for the first pre-season test, but they say they are on target and now we know who will be in that car.”

Formula 1 returns after the summer break with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on August 29-31, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime