26/08/2025 13:29
Cadillac has formally announced that Valtteri Bottas and Sergio
Perez will form its 2026 F1 driver pairing. The American outfit is
joining the F1 grid as the sport's 11th team for next season. It
had been linked with numerous drivers, but has settled upon Bottas
and Perez, who have a combined 527 grand prix starts between them.
In forming one of the most experienced driver pairings in F1
history, Cadillac has opted for two drivers with critical
experience of winning grands prix - 16 combined - winning
constructors' championships - seven in total - and of navigating
the midfield. Cadillac is partnering with Ferrari for its first
two seasons in F1 as an engine supplier before building its own
in-house unit for 2028, with TPC testing a possibility later in
2025 using an old Ferrari car. Both Bottas and Perez return to the
grid after sitting out for 2025 after losing their respective Stake
and Red Bull seats following the '24 season. Bottas endured the
first point-less campaign of his F1 career in his final year of a
Stake contract that he admitted was a "mistake" following his exit
from Mercedes at the end of 2021. Perez, meanwhile, was dropped by
Red Bull following a dismal season in which he scored just 48
points between the seventh race in Imola and the last of 24 in Abu
Dhabi. The pair took contrasting roles for 2025, with Bottas
remaining involved in F1 after returning to Mercedes to act as
third and reserve driver, and unofficial mentor to rookie Kimi
Antonelli. He also drove for McLaren in a test in Barcelona to get
accustomed to the car in case he was required to deputise for Oscar
Piastri or Lando Norris. Perez, meanwhile, has spent his year away
from F1, spending time with his family and has not attended a race
since his final Red Bull start in Abu Dhabi last season. Do you
think Bottas and Perez are the right choices for Cadillac? Simply
let us know by voting in the poll below, and drop your thoughts in
the comments!
