Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas could return to Formula 1 in 2026 when Cadillac join the pinnacle of motorsport after their tentative talks with the General Motors brand.
GM has secured a spot on the F1 grid for next season, yet Cadillac are still to sign any drivers to lead the brand’s debut. Perez and Bottas have long been tipped as possible candidates for the American crew, but they are only two of the names in the mix to race for F1’s 11th team.
Cadillac have spoken with Perez and Bottas about leading the team’s debut given their huge experience levels in the series and recent exits from the grid. Perez entered 285 and started 281 Grands Prix from 2011-24, while Bottas entered 247 races and started 246 from ‘13-24.
Red Bull released Perez from his contract for the 2025 F1 season after the Mexican’s woes in 2024 cost them the F1 constructors’ championship. Audi elected against giving Bottas a new contract to stay at Sauber in 2025 ahead of the German brand taking the team over in 2026.
Cadillac plan ‘more serious’ talks in the coming weeks after speaking to Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas
Bottas is waiting on Cadillac before deciding his F1 return plans with the 35-year-old loath to remain a reserve driver next year after returning to Mercedes as a back-up in 2025. The Finn might not have long left to wait now before learning if he is in Cadillac’s plans for 2026, too.
That is according to RACER, which reports that Cadillac ‘sources’ have ‘confirmed’ that the team intend to hold ‘more serious’ conversations in the coming weeks to finalise their driver line-up. Cadillac have so far only spoken to possible drivers to gauge their interest in joining.
READ MORE: All to know about General Motors’ Cadillac F1 team from engine to drivers
Perez and Bottas are two of the names on Cadillac’s shortlist, as well as Ferrari, Aston Martin and Mercedes’ F1 reserve drivers Zhou Guanyu, Felipe Drugovich and Frederik Vesti. IndyCar star Colton Herta is a target for Cadillac, too, but he has not yet secured an FIA Superlicence.
Formula 2 prospect Jak Crawford is also on Cadillac’s radar to have one American in their car next year. Mick Schumacher remains an option for Cadillac, as well, as he strives to return to Formula 1 after contesting the 2021 and 2022 seasons with Haas before moving to the WEC.
Daniel Ricciardo could return to F1 after emerging as an alternative option for Cadillac
F1 Oversteer has exclusively reported previously that Cadillac are considering a move to sign Vesti, but Perez is their No1 target. The Mexican has featured clearly in Cadillac’s thinking as he could be a huge marketing asset in Latin America and also bring substantial sponsorship.
But alternatives have been considered, including claims that Daniel Ricciardo could return to F1 with Cadillac in 2026, as the 35-year-old has still not committed to joining their project. It has also been said that Perez is holding off on signing for Cadillac to possibly join Mercedes.
Perez is thought to have already agreed on the terms of a contract to join Cadillac after they recently met at the Miami Grand Prix. Cadillac used F1’s visit to Florida to meet drivers open to joining, including with Schumacher, but are still waiting for the six-time Grand Prix winner.
Leave feedback about this