Sky F1 pundit Martin Brundle says the new Cadillac F1 team has a \u201cgreat driver lineup\u201d for its debut season following the confirmation of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez for F1 2026.<\/p>\n
And he believes the experienced pairing will prove a bonus next season when the team\u2019s resources are likely to be \u201cheavily stretched.\u201d<\/p>\n
Martin Brundle responds as Cadillac F1 confirms Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez<\/p>\n
Cadillac F1 announced on Tuesday that Bottas and Perez will race for the team when the American outfit arrives on the grid next season.<\/p>\n
Bottas, the 1o-time grand prix winner who currently serves as Mercedes\u2019 reserve driver, will return to the grid after losing his seat with Sauber at the end of 2024.<\/p>\n
Perez, the most successful Mexican driver in F1 history with six victories to his name, will also embark upon a Formula 1 comeback after vacating his Red Bull seat at the conclusion of last season.<\/p>\n
Cadillac F1 overlooked less-experienced options for its debut campaign, with Perez and Bottas having made 527 starts between them since their respective debuts in 2011 and 2013.<\/p>\n
Cadillac F1 team: The F1 2026 countdown is on<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49 Four reasons why GM\u2019s huge F1 arrival makes so much sense<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 Six classic US mistakes Cadillac should learn from<\/a><\/p>\n Brundle believes Cadillac has made a smart choice by opting for an experienced driver lineup, arguing that Cadillac can\u2019t afford to take the risk of employing a rookie driver in its debut season, which coincides with the introduction of Formula 1\u2019s new rules.<\/p>\n Writing on social media, Brundle said: \u201cThat\u2019s a great driver lineup.<\/p>\n \u201cThe team needs experience and direction in year one and can\u2019t afford to have rookies damaging cars when all the resources will be heavily stretched.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ll probably have to park their early frustrations as the team gets up and running, especially with such a dramatic regulation reset.\u201d<\/p>\n In a statement issued to PlanetF1.com on Tuesday<\/a>, Bottas said:\u00a0\u201cFrom the moment I began speaking with the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, I felt something different \u2013 something ambitious but also grounded.<\/p>\n \u201cThis isn\u2019t just a racing project; it\u2019s a long-term vision.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not every day that you get a chance to be part of something being built from the ground up and helping shape it into something that truly belongs on the F1 grid.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is an iconic brand with a big legacy in American motorsport and to be a part of the story as it enters the world stage of F1 is incredibly special for me.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to representing the American spirit of racing on the greatest circuits in the world.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d also like to thank Mercedes for their unwavering support and sportsmanship in facilitating such an exciting step.\u201d<\/p>\n