Cadillac will debut in Formula 1 in the 2026 season, yet the General Motors outfit are still to announce the signing of the two drivers who will lead their arrival on the grid.
Talks have taken place with several drivers in recent months, as Cadillac weigh up fielding an experienced partnership against blending youth into their line-up. Veteran names like Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, especially, have often been linked with Cadillac to add experience.
Cadillac are biding their time before finalising their driver line-up for the 2026 F1 season, as team principal Graeme Lowdon ensures every avenue has been thoroughly studied. General Motors also only got confirmation from F1 this March that it could bring Cadillac to the grid.
It even remains possible that Cadillac could sign an American driver in F2 gem Jak Crawford, who needs to win the 2025 Formula 2 title to get an FIA superlicence. The 20-year-old ranks second in the F2 standings and is 17 points behind Leonardo Fornaroli with four rounds left.
Photo by Song Haiyuan/Paddocker/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesCadillac bosses are ‘moaning’ about claims they’re set to announce the signing of Sergio Perez
But Crawford is just one of the young drivers with whom Cadillac are currently talking about a possible seat on the 2026 F1 grid. The native of Charlotte, North Carolina would also likely partner Bottas if he gets the drive, with Cadillac scoffing at claims they are set to sign Perez.
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TEAMDRIVER 1DRIVER 2AlpinePierre GaslyN/AAston MartinFernando AlonsoLance StrollAudiGabriel BortoletoNico HulkenbergCadillacN/AN/AFerrariCharles LeclercLewis HamiltonHaasEsteban OconOliver BearmanMcLarenLando NorrisOscar PiastriMercedesN/AN/ARacing BullsN/AN/ARed Bull RacingMax VerstappenN/AWilliamsAlex AlbonCarlos Sainz2026 confirmed F1 drivers
Reports emerged earlier this week stating that Perez and Cadillac have agreed on a contract for 2026, and it is even said that the Mexican’s move will be announced at the Italian Grand Prix. Perez explored many options to return to F1, and he is thought to have picked Cadillac.
But GPblog now reports that Cadillac bosses have been ‘sighing and moaning’ at the claims, as Perez has not signed a contract for the General Motors squad. Cadillac are committed to their plan to sign Bottas, but who shares the garage with the Finn is very much still unclear.
It is still possible that Cadillac will decide to sign Perez, as well as Bottas, but Lowdon has yet to decide that the Mexican will join the American brand next term. Cadillac are interested in McLaren junior Alex Dunne, and have spoken to Aston Martin reserve Felipe Drugovich, too.
Cadillac could still sign Sergio Perez, but Valtteri Bottas is on pole position for a seat
Formula 1 heads to Monza for the 2025 Italian Grand Prix on September 5-7, so there is still plenty of time for Cadillac to decide to sign Perez before the date passes for their suggested announcement. With Bottas on pole position, drivers like Crawford will hope Cadillac do not.
READ MORE: All to know about General Motors’ Cadillac F1 team from engine to drivers
TEAMENGINERed BullRed Bull Powertrains (in partnership with Ford)FerrariFerrariMcLarenMercedesMercedesMercedesAston MartinHondaRacing BullsRed Bull Powertrains (in partnership with Ford)HaasFerrariWilliamsMercedesAlpineMercedesAudiAudiCadillacFerrariF1 engine suppliers for the 2026 season
Plenty of F1 fans hope Cadillac only sign Perez if he is Bottas’ teammate, as well, as both try to return to the grid in 2026. Red Bull cancelled Perez’s contract for 2026 in December, and Bottas fell off the grid after Audi elected against offering him new terms to drive for Sauber.
Red Bull paid Perez £15.5m to terminate his contract following the 2024 season, having cost the team from Milton Keynes the defence of the F1 constructors’ championship. While Max Verstappen won his fourth drivers’ title in a row with 437 points, Perez only registered 152.
Perez even finished 2024 only eighth in the drivers’ standings, and retired from his final two starts for Red Bull in the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix. Those retirements, which moved the 32-year-old to 38 career DNFs, meant he did not get points in four of his final five races.