Bottas and Pérez return to F1 with Cadillac

After months of speculation, it has been officially confirmed that Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez will return to Formula One in 2026, driving for the brand-new Cadillac team making its F1 debut in the upcoming year. 

Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez will spearhead Cadillac's debut in F1 | Credit: Formula One

The veteran drivers will make their comeback after spending a year out of the sport following Valtteri Bottas' exit from Sauber and Sergio Pérez's exit from Red Bull.

Team Principal Graeme Lowdon offered many complimentary remarks on the signings, stating: “Signing two very experienced racers like Bottas and Checo [Pérez] is a bold signal of intent.

"They’ve seen it all and they know what it takes to succeed in Formula One. But more importantly, they understand what it means to help build a team.

"Their leadership, feedback, race-hardened instincts and of course their speed will be invaluable as we bring this team to life. A big thank you to the team at Mercedes for their co-operation and understanding.”

When asked about his new venture, the current Mercedes reserve driver Bottas shared: “From the moment I began speaking with the Cadillac F1 Team, I felt something different – something ambitious but also grounded. This isn’t just a racing project; it’s a long-term vision.

"It's not every day that you get a chance to be part of something being built from the ground up and helping shape it into something that truly belongs on the F1 grid.

“I’ve had the honor of working with some of the best teams in the world, and I can already see the same professionalism and hunger here.”

Pérez's return to the F1 grid has also been widely rumoured, and with the confirmation, he stated: "Joining the Cadillac F1 Team is an incredibly exciting new chapter in my career. From our first conversations, I could sense the passion and determination behind this project.

"It's an honor to be part of building a team that can develop together so that, in time, we will fight at the very front. Cadillac is a legendary name in American motorsport, and to help bring such a fantastic company to F1 is a huge responsibility, one I’m confident of taking on.

"I’m proud to be part of such an ambitious and meaningful project from the very beginning. I’m really pleased to be part of such a dynamic line-up, and together I believe we can help shape this team into a real contender, the team of the Americas. We’re counting on support from across the continent – and we want to make everyone proud.”

Both Bottas and Pérez have gained years of experience in F1, making this a profitable lineup for a team making its debut on the grid.

Bottas took up reserve driver duties with Mercedes in 2025 | Credit: Formula One

Bottas’ most successful years came with Mercedes between 2017 and 2021, when he stepped in to replace the retiring Nico Rosberg. During his stint with the Silver Arrows, he recorded 10 Grands Prix wins, 67 podiums and 20 pole positions, contributing significantly to their five Constructors’ Championships.

Although he was often in the shadow of his now seven-time world champion teammate Lewis Hamilton, Bottas proved that he was capable of challenging the very best when driving at his highest level.

However, his time at Sauber has posed questions about his current abilities. 

In 2022, Bottas left Mercedes to make way for George Russell and signed a contract with Alfa Romeo. Although the team had a strong start under the new regulations, they were ultimately unable to keep up in the development race, and slipped back in performance. 

By 2024, the rebranded Sauber was struggling at the back of the grid in almost every race, leaving Bottas unable to compete for points. In fact, for the first time in his career, Bottas failed to score a single point that final year.

The decline in results, though mostly car-related, has still raised concerns about whether Bottas will be able to rediscover the speed that once made him a frontrunner. 

Pérez will join Cadillac in their F1 debut | Credit: Formula One

Pérez meanwhile endured a tough stint at Red Bull in his final days with the team, leading to an early departure, despite having re-signed with the team. During his years with the Milton Keynes-based outfit, Pérez played a crucial supporting role to former teammate Max Verstappen.

In 2022 and 2023, the driver secured a career best third then second place respectively in the World Drivers’ Championship, demonstrating his ability to deliver strong results. However, he also faced criticism for a lack of consistency particularly in Qualifying, and he struggled to adapt to the car’s development in 2024. Pérez acknowledged that these reasons were key factors in his decline.

The Mexican's time away from the sport was marked by year-long speculations of a possible comeback, with the driver indicating that he would only return for a project he believed in. This makes his move to Cadillac particularly telling.

For both drivers, this move to Cadillac represents a fresh opportunity and a new challenge to prove why they belong on the grid.

A successful debut with Cadillac will surely help the pair demonstrate their worth as leaders, showing that their careers are defined not just by supporting roles, but also their ability to shape a team’s future.