Cadillac is not a new name in the world of motorsports but will be competing for the first time in the world of Formula One (F1). The Cadillac F1 team will become the 11th team on the grid at the start of the 2026 season.
The team has announced Mexican driver Sergio (Checo) Pérez and Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas as their chosen driver lineup. Both drivers have found success in F1 competing and winning with top teams.
Pérez joined the F1 grid in 2011, racing for many teams, including Sauber, McLaren and Force India; however, he found the most success when joining Red Bull Racing in 2019. With Red Bull, he achieved five Grand Prix victories as well as 57 top-five finishes from 2019-2024.
Bottas has seen similar success in his F1 career, so far securing wins and podiums with Mercedes AMG Pertronas F1 team. He replaced F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg in 2017 and went on to assist the team in winning five Constructors’ Championships in a row.
Neither driver competed in the current season, but their past success in the sport made them leading contenders for Cadillac’s 2026 seats.
The team principal will be Graeme Lowdon. Lowdon has worked in leadership positions with F1 teams in the past and has played an advisory role in Cadillac’s campaign to join the F1 grid.
Lowdon said in a press release., “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,”
The team has also announced that American IndyCar driver Colton Herta will be filling the role of reserve driver for the 2026 season, assisting with data collection and operating as a fill-in driver, if needed.
With experienced drivers and the backing of TWG Motorsports and General Motors (GM), Cadillac’s addition provides much anticipation for the 2026 F1 season.
This article has been updated to clarify that Sergio (Checo) Pérez achieved five of his six total Grand Prix victories as well as 57-top-five finishes from 2019-2024.