The Cadillac F1 team has reportedly signed its first driver for its debut season in 2026. The second American team on the grid is currently gearing up for its F1 entry, but the drivers were the missing part of the puzzle. Now though, it appears that one driver has been signed.
RacingNews365 reported that Valtteri Bottas, who was strongly linked to the Cadillac F1 team in recent months, has been appointed by the team, and an official announcement will be made next week. Bottas paused his full-time F1 career after parting ways with Sauber following the 2024 season.
Since then, he has remained on the sidelines as a Mercedes AMG reserve driver, the team he raced for from 2017 to 2021. Being an F1 veteran, Bottas comes with immense premier class racing experience, having driven for four different teams since his F1 debut in 2013.
Cadillac will use Ferrari power units from 2026, which also marks the year when F1 enters a new era of regulations. The cars will be powered equally by two sources- an internal combustion engine running on sustainable fuel and electric power. The team plans to start using its own power units, developed by General Motors, in 2029.
People attend an event to unveil the colors for the 2026 Cadillac debut in Formula One racing, ahead of the 2025 Miami Formula One Grand Prix, in Miami Beach, Florida, on May 3, 2025.
People attend an event to unveil the colors for the 2026 Cadillac debut in Formula One racing, ahead of the 2025 Miami Formula One Grand Prix, in Miami Beach, Florida, on May 3, 2025.
Giorgio VIERA / AFP/Getty Images
But given its technical partnership with Ferrari, Cadillac will likely run Testing of Previous Cars sessions with both its drivers towards the end of 2025 to make them familiar with Ferrari’s power unit.
Speaking of Cadillac’s second driver, it remains to be seen if the team signs former Red Bull Racing driver Sergio Perez or if it shortlists a young driver. The Mexican driver, who departed Red Bull after the 2024 season, set a condition for his F1 return in the future, suggesting that he would only race if the project appealed to him. Newsweek Sports reported Perez’s comments:
“I do want to return, but only if the right project comes along, one where I feel I truly belong or should be. I don’t want to come back at any cost. I’m not interested in traveling around the world as a third driver or just waiting around for an opportunity.
“I feel fortunate for the career I’ve had, and I do want to come back – because I don’t want my career to end like this. But I’m also fully aware that I’ll only return if it’s truly worth the price you have to pay to be in Formula 1 – 24 races, and an entire life dedicated to the sport.”