Bottas and Pérez to Return in 2026

By Callum Griffies

Cadillac will be joining the grid in the upcoming 2026 season as the famous Amercian will be claiming the rights to be the 11th Formula 1 team. 

Cadillac have opted to sign Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas as their driver pairing to challenge the gird in 2026. Rumours were speculating that the American franchise would mix experience with youth. However, the two 35-year-olds will be returning to Formula 1 after leaving their respective teams at the end of last season.

Valtteri Bottas parted ways with Sauber at the end of the 2025 season as the team replaced the Finnish driver with Nico Hulkenberg as they slowly transition to Audi in 2026. Bottas partnered back up with his former team for the 2025 season, as the driver has been warming up the Mercedes reserve seat in the meantime, as he waited for another opportunity to arise on the grid. Bottas helped Mercedes claim five championships whilst with the team before being replaced in 2022 for the upcoming George Russel. Valtteri Bottas said on his recent move to the American team, “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.” Fans will be hoping that Cadillac will be challenging the likes of Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull next year.

Sergio Perez, on the other was forced out of Red Bull at the end of last season due to a disappointing season in a front-runner car from the Mexican. Former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner replaced Sergio Perez with Liam Lawson after the newcomer showed his raw pace in the sister team. (Racing Bulls)

The Mexican is optimistic for the upcoming season with himself hinting that the team could be a front runner for the upcoming season, “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 am confident of taking on.”

As we all wait in anticipation for the upcoming season, Cadillac will be hoping to develop its car to its maximum potential to prove why they deserve to be on the grid in Formula 1.