After months of speculation, Cadillac, which is joining Formula One as the 11th team, officially announced their 2026 lineup. The two drivers competing under their banner will be, as many had expected, Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez. The question related to the choice is: Is having two experienced drivers the best approach for the newcomers?
Many fans speculated that Cadillac would go for a lineup with one experienced and one younger driver. This would be a more balanced approach that could give Zhou Guanyu or Mick Schumacher a chance to return to the sport. Another possibility would be hiring two younger drivers, although that one wasn’t as widely predicted.
When Cadillac was first announced to be joining the grid, fans pointed to its American origin and claimed that the team could end up hiring drivers either from or known in the US. The names that could be heard in conversations were those of Colton Herta and Alex Palou, both of whom are known for their careers in IndyCar. In the end, the fact that neither has ever participated in an F1 race disqualified them pretty early on.
What is interesting to note is that when rumours are being spread about Cadillac’s possible lineup, barely any names of young rookies could be heard among the chatter. It is possible that the team simply didn’t want to be dealing with “fresh” drivers in their first-ever season, but there is also a much kinder theory. Since Cadillac knew that they most probably wouldn’t be at all competitive at the start, they didn’t want to ruin the start of a young driver’s career by tying their name to the very end of the grid.
Both Bottas and Perez will be making a return to the world of F1, having already participated in multiple seasons, but being left without a seat in 2025. They are Grand Prix winners, known for their skill and reliability, and can bring some much-needed experience to the rookie Cadillac.
Before his break, Bottas was driving for Kick Sauber, alongside Zhou Guanyu, but he had spent most of his long career in Mercedes. He was the perfect second driver for Lewis Hamilton during his most dominant era. This means that he not only has experience driving a championship-winning car, but can also be an excellent team player, even if the situation doesn’t exactly benefit him. Perez can bring a similar perspective, having been Max Verstappen’s teammate during Red Bull’s latest dominant era.
The decision to hire Bottas and Perez came down to one factor: their experience. Cadillac isn’t buying and rebranding an already existing Formula One team, but rather creating one “from scratch”. This means that they need the input of drivers who know what needs to be changed and improved, not only on track, but also in the setup and components of the car. Both Bottas and Perez have been a part of the sport for years and have seen different regulations impact the cars’ development. In the end, their insight might end up being crucial for the team.
Bottas and Perez were undoubtedly Cadillac’s best option. With their combined knowledge, they can help the team find their footing in the uncertain waters of the sport. All that is left now is to wait and see how they will do in the upcoming season.
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