Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez are being heavily linked with a return to Formula 1 with Cadillac in 2026.
The two F1 veterans are considered to be at the top of the American brand’s list of candidates for next season. It seems increasingly likely that at least one of them will be joining Cadillac for their debut season in 2026.
Cadillac have been speaking to Perez since his Red Bull exit at the end of 2024. The Mexican’s sponsors have been in negotiations with the team, which will provide them with significant financial benefits and commercial value, given Perez’s fanbase in North America.
Valtteri BottasSergio PerezGrand Prix246281Wins106Podiums6739Pole Positions203Fastest Laps1912Points17971638Valtteri Bottas v Sergio Perez’s F1 career stats
The feeling is that the sport’s 11th team want an experienced driver to help build the project, which Perez can provide in abundance as a multiple race winner. However, he is not the only veteran under consideration as Bottas is also in talks with Cadillac.
The Finn has been serving as Mercedes’ reserve driver in 2025 after his exit from Sauber last season. Perez faces a ‘hurdle’ in his Cadillac talks in this regard, as he is not part of any motorsport team this year.
Photo by Joe Portlock/Getty ImagesValtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez are yet to discuss contract lengths with Cadillac for 2026
While Bottas is still heavily involved in F1 today, it is believed that the former Red Bull driver is the number one target for the sport’s newcomers. In fact, it has been reported that Cadillac are set to announce Perez as a driver for 2026.
The Mexican had interest from Alpine, but has since gone quiet as it is presumed that he favours a move to Cadillac. Bottas was also linked with Alpine, but like Perez, he is more interested in pursuing a long-term contract with the General Motors-backed team.
Discussions have been ongoing for months with various candidates at Cadillac, with Perez and Bottas the closest to securing a deal than any other driver. However, there are still more details to iron out.
According to RACER, the rumours that speculate a deal has been agreed with the two drivers are ‘premature’. Cadillac ‘sources’ have indicated that neither Bottas nor Perez have entered ‘detailed discussions about contract lengths and terms’.
READ MORE: All to know about General Motors’ Cadillac F1 team from engine to drivers
Photo by Jon Hobley | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesCadillac are assessing other candidates to join either Valtteri Bottas or Sergio Perez in 2026
It is currently unclear whether both Bottas and Perez will join Cadillac, or just one of them. But the feeling is that the latter is the favourite out of the pair, with Perez looking ‘guaranteed’ to join Cadillac.
Two experienced heads would be beneficial for the newcomers, but they are also speaking to younger talents who are looking for their first shot, or a return to F1. The likes of Felipe Drugovich, Frederik Vesti, Jak Crawford and Mick Schumacher have all held talks.
F1 fans hope Cadillac do not sign Schumacher, given his disappointing performances with Haas in 2021 and 2022. The German has been eyeing a return to F1 since his exit, currently competing in WEC for Alpine.
Yuki Tsunoda’s agent has spoken to Cadillac as the Japanese driver risks losing his seat at Red Bull at the end of 2025. Similarly, Jack Doohan’s father is trying to land him a seat after he was dropped by Alpine six races into the season; it is unlikely he will make a return with the Enstone outfit.