Cadillac F1 team closes on 2026 Driver Pairing | Racer

Cadillac is in line with the signing of experienced pair Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez to form the set-up of the driver for his debut Formula 1 season in 2026, Racer understands.

The team part of the TWG Motorsports-portfolio-has prepared by General Motors to join the Grid next year, after he finally received approval of the FIA ​​and Formula 1 management in March. Numerous drivers were associated with the racing chairs, but team head Graeme Lowdon had often expressed a preference for at least one experienced name for the team’s inaugural season.

Racer understands that after discussions with several drivers the Cadillac F1 team has chosen to prioritize experience in both racing chairs, with Bottas and Perez the intended combination and contract priority in an advanced stage.

Both drivers lost their seats at the end of last season – Bottas that Sauber and Perez left by Red Bull – but are ready to bring a combined 527 Grand Prix -Starts and 16 victories between them to the newest team on the schedule.

Bottas won 10 times for Mercedes, while Perez won five victories for Red Bull and one for race point, and they mark the two most experienced available drivers who are currently not racing in F1. Cadillac analyzed a large number of drivers who had recent experience within the current teams in racing or development roles, including Mick Schumacher, Zhou Guanyu, Jack Doohan, Franco Colapinto, Felipe Drugovich, Jak Crawford and Fred Vesti.

While Bottas served as a reserve administrator for Mercedes this season, Perez took away a year after he terminated his Red Bull contract. Replacements Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have both struggled with Max Verstappen since Perez left, with Red Bull continued a slide from the competitiveness that started last year.

An announcement with regard to the line-up of the Cadillac director could already come next week, prior to the resumption of the 2025 season in the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort.