• Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas will race for Cadillac's new F1 team starting in 2026.
• Both drivers are returning to F1 after being dropped by their respective teams in 2024.
• Team executives praise their experience and leadership as crucial for Cadillac's debut.

Cadillac has officially announced that experienced Formula 1 drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas will form the team’s inaugural driver lineup for the 2026 season. Both drivers, who are set to make their return to the F1 grid after being dropped at the end of 2024, have signed multi-year contracts with the team. Cadillac, backed by General Motors, is making a significant entry into F1, and the choice of these seasoned drivers reflects its ambition for a competitive start, according to Reuters and BBC.

Bottas, who turns 36 as he returns to the grid, has had a successful career with ten race wins during his time at Mercedes, while Perez has six wins to his name from both his time at Racing Point and Red Bull. Team executives emphasized that the duo's unique blend of experience and proven race-winning capability was a key factor in their selection, as they prepare for the challenges of their debut season. "We believe their experience, their leadership, and their technical acumen are really what we need," stated Dan Towriss, CEO of Cadillac’s partner, TWG Global, according to Al Jazeera and India Times.

Both drivers expressed excitement about the new opportunity with Cadillac. Bottas articulated a sense of long-term vision for the project, stating, "This isn’t just a racing project; it’s a long-term vision," indicating a strong commitment to helping shape the team's identity from the ground up. Perez echoed this sentiment, remarking on the responsibility of bringing Cadillac into F1 and highlighting their ambition to evolve into a competitive contender, according to BBC and Reuters.

Cadillac will utilize Ferrari power units until 2029 as they establish operations in Formula 1. Despite initial challenges expected as the team enters the competition, Lowe stated that the hiring of Bottas and Perez signals Cadillac's intent to climb the ranks quickly and earn respect within the sport swiftly. By opting for experienced drivers, Cadillac aims to mitigate the risks associated with entering such a highly competitive environment, which typically has a steep learning curve, as mentioned by the team principal and echoed in sources from Al Jazeera and India Times.