Cadillac F1 Team has chosen first 2026 driver

2026 will mark Cadillac F1 Team rookie season in the top tier of open wheel racing, A year that promises to be one of learning and adaptation, regardless of the scale of investment. The world of Formula 1 demands constant and rapid development, relying on the expertise of a team built around people with decades of experience. That’s precisely why the news has just broken: the Team has chosen to place its trust in Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas, a veteran with over ten years of experience at the highest level.

Mercedes’ third driver in 2025 and long-time teammate of Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas played a key role in helping the German team achieve one of the most dominant runs in the history of the sport. Next year, he will finally have the chance to return to the wheel of a race car.. The 35-year-old raced for the Brackley-based squad from 2017 to 2021 and secured 10 grand prix wins, 20 pole positions and 58 podiums with the team.

His vast F1 experience should be a major benefit to Cadillac F1 Team, which will expand the grid to 11 teams for the first time since 2016 next year.

It will be a good opportunity for the new team not to start at too much of a disadvantage, as 2026 will bring a major regulation change for everyone. Introduced by the FIA, the new rules will force all teams — including Cadillac — to start interpreting the technical guidelines already from this year.

Ferrari engine for 2026 and Graeme Lowdon as TP

Bottas, with 10 career wins and 67 podiums, will bring valuable experience to Cadillac. They will rely on Ferrari engines for its debut season. Team principal Graeme Lowdon led the negotiations, which resulted in a deal expected to be officially announced during the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.

According to rumors, Bottas will be joined by former Red Bull driver Sergio Pérez, who is said to have already signed a multi-year contract with Cadillac F1 Team. This pairing of experienced drivers is seen as a strategic move to ensure stability and competitiveness for the new team right from its debut.

Despite some criticism — including from Nelson Piquet Jr., who suggested that Cadillac should focus on young talents linked to the “Ferrari family”. The choice of Bottas is seen as a solid move for a project aiming to be competitive right from the start.

Other driver options for Cadillac F1 Team

Some market rumors had suggested, that he might have left the Mercedes family somewhat reluctantly — potentially forcing the new debuting team to look elsewhere. The fact that Ferrari will be supplying engines for the upcoming season had led many to speculate that a driver from the Prancing Horse’s academy could have been chosen to kick off the F1 adventure. Another option reportedly on the table was Aston Martin’s third driver, Felipe Drugovich, who impressed many during seasonal testing with the British team.

More info will be shown on https://www.cadillacf1team.com/