Cadillac announced Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas as its drivers for the 2026 Formula 1 season, marking the American team’s debut as the 11th team on the grid. Revealed on August 26, 2025, the choice reflects a strategy to invest in experienced names to build a strong foundation in a highly competitive environment. While exact contract figures remain undisclosed, speculation suggests both drivers will earn million-dollar salaries, supplemented by performance bonuses and appearances at brand events.
Backed by General Motors, Cadillac aims not only for track performance but also to attract sponsors and establish the brand in the global motorsport market. This bold approach is already sparking discussions about the team’s financial and sporting impact.
Cadillac’s strategy in driver selection
Cadillac opted for two drivers with established Formula 1 careers, boasting over 500 starts and 16 wins combined. Sergio Pérez, a 35-year-old Mexican, brings experience from teams like Red Bull, where he was runner-up in 2023, securing five of his six victories on street circuits. Valtteri Bottas, a 35-year-old Finn, shone at Mercedes, amassing 10 wins and 58 podiums, playing a key role in constructors’ titles from 2017 to 2021. Choosing veterans over rookies reflects the need for technical stability for a debutant team facing challenges like developing a competitive car under the 2026 regulations.
Track experience: Pérez and Bottas have raced for top teams, bringing refined technical expertise.
Financial backing: Pérez’s popularity in Mexico attracts sponsors, while Bottas adds technical credibility.
Car development: Both will contribute to early testing, using a 2023 Ferrari for team training.
Global visibility: The duo elevates Cadillac’s profile, connecting the brand to international markets.
Million-dollar salaries and contract structure
Speculation surrounds the contracts of Pérez and Bottas, with estimates suggesting some of the grid’s highest salaries, rivaling those at Mercedes and Ferrari. Behind-the-scenes reports indicate Pérez’s salary could reach $10 million annually, placing him among the top 10 highest-paid drivers in Formula 1. Bottas is expected to earn similar figures, with bonuses tied to wins, podiums, and promotional events. These numbers underscore Cadillac’s strategy to invest heavily in talent to accelerate technical and commercial development.
Formula 1’s salary structure is complex, combining base pay, performance bonuses, and sponsorship deals. For Cadillac, contracts are designed to compete with top teams, where drivers like Max Verstappen ($65 million) and Lewis Hamilton ($60 million) lead the 2025 earnings rankings. With no salary cap for drivers, Cadillac can offer high figures to ensure Pérez and Bottas are motivated to deliver immediate results.
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Commercial and marketing impact
The choice of experienced drivers extends beyond racing. Pérez, dubbed the “King of the Streets” for his urban circuit wins, has strong commercial appeal in Mexico, a key market for Cadillac. His presence attracts Mexican sponsors, leveraging Formula 1’s global platform. Bottas, with his Mercedes tenure, adds technical credibility and appeal in Europe, particularly among fans who value his consistency. This pairing positions Cadillac for immediate impact, both in results and financial returns.
Mexican market: Pérez’s popularity boosts merchandising and investor interest.
American legacy: Cadillac reinforces its identity as an iconic U.S. motorsport brand.
Global sponsorships: The duo’s experience facilitates partnerships with international brands.
Promotional events: Contracts include clauses for appearances in General Motors campaigns.
Preparation for 2026
Cadillac is already planning its debut. From September 2025, Pérez and Bottas will begin track testing with a 2023 Ferrari, focusing on training mechanics, engineers, and software systems. This approach aims to minimize the learning curve for a new team. Sporting director Graeme Lowdon emphasized the drivers’ experience in building robust processes from the start. The team, based in Indiana, North Carolina, and Michigan, employs over 200 professionals working on aerodynamics, chassis, and vehicle dynamics simulation.
The 2026 technical regulations, introducing significant car changes, pose an additional challenge. Cadillac relies on Pérez and Bottas’s expertise to accelerate car development, particularly in aerodynamics and Ferrari engine integration, which will be used initially. The strategy is to avoid common pitfalls of new teams, like Haas in 2016, which struggled due to limited technical experience.
Driver backgrounds
Sergio Pérez began his Formula 1 career in 2011 with Sauber, standing out as a resilient driver in mid-tier teams like Force India and Racing Point. His Red Bull stint from 2021 to 2024 brought wins and a runner-up finish, though he faced challenges with a car tailored for Max Verstappen. After a year away in 2025, Pérez returns motivated.
Valtteri Bottas debuted with Williams in 2013, earning podiums before joining Mercedes in 2017. Alongside Lewis Hamilton, he was runner-up in 2019 and 2020, contributing to constructors’ titles. His Sauber tenure from 2022 to 2024 was less successful, with modest results leading to his exit. In 2025, Bottas served as Mercedes’ reserve driver, staying active.
Pérez’s career: 246 races, 6 wins, 39 podiums, 2023 runner-up.
Bottas’s career: 281 races, 10 wins, 67 podiums, 2019 and 2020 runner-up.
Top-team experience: Both competed for Mercedes and Red Bull.
Resilience in challenges: Experienced with less competitive cars.
Expectations for the debut
Cadillac’s entry into Formula 1 is a historic milestone, the first grid expansion since 2016. The team faces pressure to compete against giants like Red Bull, McLaren, and Ferrari, but its veteran drivers signal ambition. Jacques Villeneuve, 1997 champion, questioned whether Pérez and Bottas can recapture their peak form but acknowledged their experience as a technical advantage. Supported by General Motors, Cadillac aims to establish a competitive culture, focusing on mid- and long-term results.
The 2026 season will test the team. While immediate podiums are unlikely, Cadillac plans to leverage its drivers’ experience for a solid foundation. Pérez’s strength on street circuits, like Monaco and Singapore, could be a trump card. Bottas’s technical feedback will be vital for car adjustments throughout the season.
Curiosities about Cadillac in F1
Cadillac’s Formula 1 arrival is not just sporting but a strategic move by General Motors to strengthen its global motorsport presence. The team is already generating buzz among fans and analysts tracking its early steps.
Andretti partnership: Cadillac collaborates with Andretti Global, bringing American motorsport expertise.
Ferrari engines: The team will use Ferrari-supplied engines in its debut season.
Operational bases: Facilities in three U.S. states ensure robust infrastructure.
Brand history: Cadillac has a legacy in races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Market and fan reception
The choice of Pérez and Bottas has been well-received, especially in Mexico, where Pérez is a national icon. The Mexican F1 community celebrates his return, keeping the country represented. In Europe, Bottas is seen as a safe bet, with his experience as a valuable asset for a new team. Some analysts note that opting out of young talents, like Brazilian Felipe Drugovich, may limit grid renewal. Cadillac defends its conservative strategy, emphasizing the drivers’ experience to overcome initial challenges. The team plans aggressive marketing campaigns, leveraging Pérez’s popularity and Bottas’s credibility to attract fans and sponsors.
