Formula 1: Cadillac introduced Checo Pérez and Valtteri Bottas for the 2026 season
Bottas and Checo return to F1 with Cadillac
porEditorial Team
Argentina
The American team, supported by General Motors and TWG Motorsports, will make its debut next year with two established drivers who are returning after a year of inactivity
Formula 1 is preparing for a historic change, as starting in 2026, there will be eleven teams on the grid, following the confirmation of Cadillac's entry into the top category of motorsport. The American brand, backed by General Motors and TWG Motorsports, officially announced its driver pairing for the debut on Tuesday.
The chosen drivers are Sergio "Checo" Pérez and Valtteri Bottas, who will return to the Grand Circus after a year away from competition. The decision was based on the extensive experience of both, who are not only capable of winning races but also of competing at the highest level, which gives Cadillac a solid foundation for its debut.
La imagen que compatió la F1
In recent months, the team considered multiple alternatives and weighed the possibility of betting on young talents. That list included names such as Mick Schumacher, Guanyu Zhou, and Jack Doohan, as well as Argentinians Franco Colapinto and Nicolás Varrone, although ultimately the balance tipped toward two drivers with proven track records.
Headquartered in Silverstone, United Kingdom, Cadillac will initially join as a Ferrari customer team, although it has already outlined an ambitious plan: to develop its own engines starting in 2028.
How many seats remain available for next season
With the addition of the Mexican and the Finn to the new team, the seats on the grid for the 2026 season are reduced to just six, distributed among four teams.
Red Bull and Alpine need to define their second drivers, as they have confirmed Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly respectively. If nothing new arises, those seats could continue to be filled by Yuki Tsunoda and Franco Colapinto, although this depends on their performances in the upcoming races. Meanwhile, Mercedes and Racing Bulls have yet to announce drivers for next season.
The teams that have already confirmed their drivers are:
McLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
Aston Martin: Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso
Haas: Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon
Williams: Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz
Ferrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton
Audi (currently Sauber): Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto
