Cadillac, which will become F1’s 11th team in 2026, has opted for the most experienced free agents available.<\/p>\n
Mexican driver P\u00e9rez and Finnish driver Bottas have a combined 16 race wins between them.<\/p>\n
A line-up announcement is expected to come before Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix.<\/p>\n
The new team, led by former Manor team principal Graeme Lowden, identified both drivers as primary targets early in the process, sources have told ESPN.<\/p>\n
It is understood Alpine made a late pitch to both as a potential replacement for Franco Colapinto<\/a>, but were rebuffed in either instance.<\/p>\n P\u00e9rez has been out of a drive this year after being dropped by Red Bull at the end of 2024 following a spiral in form.<\/p>\n He had struggled as Max Verstappen<\/a>‘s teammate, but his successors Liam Lawson<\/a> and Yuki Tsunoda<\/a> have fared worse.<\/p>\n Bottas was replaced at Sauber after a two year-stint and this year has been back at former team Mercedes in a reserve driver role.<\/p>\n Both drivers will bring the experience of being part of F1’s two most recent dynasty teams.<\/p>\n – Preseason predictions: What we got right, wrong about F1 2025<\/a> Cadillac had spoken to a range of drivers, including Mick Schumacher<\/a>, but sources have said none ever were considered as strongly as P\u00e9rez or Bottas.<\/p>\nSergio\u00a0P\u00e9rez and Valtteri Bottas are set to team up next year at Cadillac\u00a0Dan Istitene – Formula 1\/Formula 1 via Getty Images<\/p>\n
– State of the silly season: Who will drive where in F1 2026?<\/a> <\/p>\n