Cadillac signs Bottas and Perez to two-year deals for 2026 F1 debut

Cadillac has confirmed Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez as its race drivers for its long‑anticipated Formula 1 debut in 2026, the General Motors backed team announced as it steps up preparations over the next six months. The two‑year contracts for the veteran pairing, who combined have 527 Grand Prix starts and 16 race wins, come as Cadillac ramps up factory work at Silverstone and Charlotte ahead of the rule overhaul next season.

Team principal Graeme Lowdon said experience and enthusiasm were decisive factors in the signings. Lowdon told reporters the team wanted drivers who could help coalesce a new squad and accelerate development, and he expressed confidence both men could be back up to speed after spending 2025 largely on the sidelines. Cadillac has also added IndyCar star Colton Herta as a test driver while it continues the search for a reserve driver, which Lowdon said the team has not yet begun to fill and will select strictly on merit.

Lowdon outlined an intense pre‑season program designed to reduce first‑time errors when the team debuts on the grid. Engineers are running full race‑weekend simulations and the team has neared FIA crash testing for its first monocoque....