Cadillac Plays It Safe With Bottas And Pérez For 2026 F1 Debut

When Cadillac’s long-anticipated Formula 1 team finally revealed its driver lineup for 2026, the names were familiar: Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas. No bold rookie, no American debutant. Just two seasoned veterans with more than 500 grand prix starts between them.

Why Experience Mattered More Than Nationality

For months, U.S. fans had hoped Cadillac would field an American driver. IndyCar stars like Colton Herta and Josef Newgarden were whispered about, while Formula 2’s Jak Crawford appeared to be the most realistic candidate. But Cadillac chose the safer path: proven experience over national sentiment.

The logic is simple. With new car and engine regulations arriving in 2026, the team needs stability. Pérez and Bottas bring a combined 16 wins, 23 pole positions, and an insider’s view of the sport’s two most dominant dynasties: Red Bull and Mercedes. As one F1 commentator put it on X, “Cadillac isn’t looking for headlines, they’re looking for survival in Year One.”

Bottas’ Second Chance, Pérez’s Redemption Arc

For Bottas, the seat is a lifeline. After fading into the midfield with Sauber and being edged out ahead of Audi’s takeover, the Finn now gets another shot to be part of a factory project from the ground up. He hinted at the move earlier this year in a cheeky Instagram post featuring a Cadillac Escalade captioned “nice seat.”

Pérez’s story is more complex. After being ousted from Red Bull and enjoying a rare year off the F1 carousel filled with family time, football matches, and holidays from Mexico to Madrid he wasn’t sure he’d return. But the lure of Cadillac’s multiyear deal, plus the chance to rebuild his reputation, proved irresistible. Fans still remember “Mexico’s Minister of Defense” from his heroic 2021 title-decider against Hamilton. Cadillac will hope that version of Checo resurfaces.

The American Driver Debate

If there’s disappointment, it’s on the U.S. side of the fanbase. Cadillac had once hinted at giving an American talent a chance, but reality bit. Formula 1’s modern restrictions on testing make it nearly impossible to drop in a rookie from outside the European feeder system. As Haas learned when it debuted in 2016, running with non-Americans is often a practical choice.

Social media reaction has been mixed. One fan wrote, “Great drivers, but what’s the point of an American team with no American behind the wheel?” Another countered, “Cadillac needs results first. The U.S. driver will come later.”

What To Expect In 2026

Both drivers arrive with points to prove. Bottas, eager to show he’s more than Hamilton’s old wingman. Pérez, determined to silence those who felt Red Bull destroyed his confidence. Together, they offer Cadillac a solid foundation for survival and growth in Formula 1’s most unpredictable season in years.

For now, the decision feels pragmatic rather than romantic. But if Cadillac can establish itself quickly, perhaps the dream of an American driver in a Cadillac F1 car will return one for the future, not the launchpad.