Cadillac has officially named Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas as its drivers for the team’s maiden Formula 1 campaign, marking a bold statement of intent by General Motors’ entry into the sport. Both drivers have signed multi-year contracts, ensuring stability and experience as Cadillac prepares to compete as F1’s 11th team.
Pérez, a six-time Formula 1 race winner, and Bottas, with 10 victories during his Mercedes tenure, bring a wealth of pedigree to the new outfit. At 35, both drivers are seeking redemption after parting ways with Red Bull and Sauber, respectively in 2024.
The pair share more than 500 combined race starts, with Pérez tallying 281 and Bottas 246, alongside 106 podium appearances.
Cadillac CEO Dan Towriss emphasized that experience and technical knowledge were key factors in their selection, describing the partnership as “the right drivers at the right time.”
Their careers alongside Formula 1’s greats Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have equipped them with invaluable insights.
Cadillac is banking on its ability to guide a new team through the steep learning curve of establishing itself on the grid.
Pérez endured a turbulent final year with Red Bull, struggling for consistency against Verstappen. Towriss acknowledged the doubts surrounding his form but revealed Pérez “answered all of our questions and passed our tests with flying colours.”
Meanwhile, Bottas has been serving as Mercedes’ Formula 1 reserve driver this season, keeping himself sharp while awaiting a competitive return. His fresh start with Cadillac represents both a professional challenge and personal rejuvenation.
Cadillac will initially use Ferrari power units until General Motors introduces its own engines in 2029, entering at the dawn of a new engine era.
Bottas highlighted the project’s ambitious scope, saying, “It’s not every day you get a chance to be part of something being built from the ground up.”
Pérez, embarking on his fifth Formula 1 team stint, expressed pride in joining Cadillac from the outset, believing in the project’s potential to grow into a genuine contender. For both drivers, the opportunity is less about short-term results and more about shaping a team’s future.
Team principal Graeme Lowdon hailed the signings as a “bold signal of intent” for a US-based squad aiming to challenge for wins in the long run. He stressed that the duo’s leadership, feedback, and race-hardened instincts would be essential as Cadillac establishes itself.
While Mexico is an important market for General Motors, executives clarified that commercial considerations did not drive the choice of Pérez.
Instead, both drivers were chosen for their proven ability to compete and their readiness to help build a foundation for success.
Cadillac’s Formula 1 journey now begins with a veteran lineup and a clear ambition to grow into a championship contender. With Pérez and Bottas steering the project, the American team has made its strongest possible statement on the global motorsport stage.
