Sergio Pérez Joins Cadillac F1 for 2026 Debut Season

MONZA, ITALY - AUGUST 31: Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing looks on in the Drivers Press Conference during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on August 31, 2023 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

MONZA, ITALY - AUGUST 31: Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing looks on in the Drivers Press Conference during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on August 31, 2023 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

One of the most talked-about rumors in the Formula 1 world has now been confirmed: Cadillac F1 has signed Sergio “Checo” Pérez and Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas as its official drivers. Both have committed to multi-year agreements with Cadillac, which will make its debut as a new constructor in the 2026 Formula 1 season. By securing two veterans rather than rookies, Cadillac signals its intent to prioritize experience and stability as it enters the sport. 

Pérez began his F1 career with Sauber in 2011 before stints at McLaren and Force India. His breakthrough came at Racing Point, where he claimed his maiden Grand Prix win in 2020. He later joined Red Bull Racing, contributing to multiple Constructors’ Championships and achieving six race victories, becoming the most successful Mexican driver in F1 history. 

Pérez said: “Joining the Cadillac Formula 1 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.” 

Unlike the Revolut Audi F1 Team, which will also join the grid in 2026 through the acquisition of Sauber, a team competing in Formula 1 since 1993, Cadillac is entering as a brand-new constructor. The team is still hiring key staff (yes! apply for an F1 Job here)  and will operate from hubs in Indiana, North Carolina, and the UK, combining American engineering with European expertise. 

With Pérez and Bottas, Cadillac gains not only technical know-how from two drivers who have raced with top teams over the last decade, but also significant commercial appeal. Bottas brings a proven race-winning pedigree from his time at Mercedes, while Pérez commands a devoted fan base across Mexico and Latin America. Their mix of experience, credibility, and personality makes them a strong fit for the Formula 1 ecosystem.

Checo Perez F1 sergio perez