Cadillac announces driver lineup in Formula 1: Bottas and Perez behind the wheel.

CADILLAC officially presented its drivers for the 2026 Formula 1 season

According to The Sun: The CADILLAC team has announced its driver lineup for the new Formula 1, starting in 2026. Next year, CADILLAC will become the 11th team on the starting grid, with Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez as its drivers.

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This news was announced on Tuesday evening and was supported by an emotional video message from Keanu Reeves, confirming the rumors about the two famous drivers.

Bottas and Perez did not participate in Formula 1 during the 2025 season. Valtteri Bottas is celebrating his 36th birthday this weekend, after losing his spot on the Sauber team in 2024. He is currently serving as a reserve driver for Mercedes.

Sergio Perez, 35, was released by the Red Bull team after a frankly disappointing season, where he competed against four-time world champion Max Verstappen in 2024.

Both drivers have experience in teams that have won championships but have also shown strong results in the middle tier. CADILLAC, as a newcomer, decided to choose experienced drivers for stability.

Together, they have 16 victories, 106 podiums, and 23 poles in over 527 starts.

“Signing two experienced drivers like Bottas and Checo is a bold signal of our intent,” said CADILLAC team principal Graham Loudon.

“They have seen it all and know what it takes to succeed in Formula 1. But most importantly, they understand what it means to help build a team.”

Bottas, commenting on the signing, mentioned that he felt “something ambitious” during the negotiations. He added: “This is not just a racing project; it is a long-term vision.”

Perez, for his part, noted that he felt “the passion and determination of the project” from the very first conversations.

“For me, it is a great honor to be part of a team that can grow together to eventually fight at the front.”

CADILLAC has decided to invite these two renowned drivers, having chosen from several other candidates, including the son of legendary Michael Schumacher, Mick, who has not had the opportunity to compete in Formula 1 for three years.

General Motors President Mark Reuss added: “Our new drivers are an important addition to the Cadillac Racing family - each brings deep experience and an unrelenting passion for victory.”

Reuss hopes to create an “exceptional legacy” for the team and for the sport.

Formula 1 returns after the summer break at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, the home track of reigning world champion Verstappen. This round is the penultimate before he exits the calendar in 2026.

Currently, McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris lead the World Championship standings, just nine points ahead of Verstappen, while he has a massive gap of 88 points to third place.

Formula 1 continues to surprise its fans, and the new CADILLAC team with an ambitious driver lineup promises to add competitiveness in the upcoming seasons. The experience of Bottas and Perez may become a decisive factor on the path to setting new standards in the team. Time has already shown how important strong drivers are for teams trying to succeed in such a highly competitive arena.