Cadillac is set to make its Formula 1 debut in January 2026 — and the first of its two drivers now looks secured.
According to RacingNews365, the American team has signed Valtteri Bottas as its first official driver. The Finnish veteran will become the cornerstone of Cadillac’s project as it enters the sport for the very first time.
After spending a year away from racing duties as Mercedes’ third driver, Bottas is set to return to the grid. At 35, he gets another chance in Formula 1, backed by an impressive record: 10 victories, 20 pole positions, and 58 podiums with Mercedes — statistics that underline his consistency and wealth of experience.
Cadillac still has to decide on Bottas’s teammate. In recent weeks, names such as Sergio Pérez and rising stars like Leonardo Fornaroli and especially Alex Dunne have been mentioned. However, nothing concrete has emerged yet — with the Mexican Pérez still seen as the frontrunner.
For now, the only certainty is Bottas. His experience will be crucial in leading Cadillac into a brand-new era of Formula 1. From 2026, the sport will undergo a major regulatory shift: the hybrid balance of the power units will move from 80-20 to 50-50 thermal-electric, a change that has already sparked significant debate.
The Cadillac team will be led by Graeme Lowdon, who knows Bottas well from his past work with Zhou Guanyu at Sauber. The plan is to build a competitive structure, with preparation boosted by multiple test days using previous-generation cars in 2025 — a crucial step to speed up development before the debut season.
Photo: Valtteri Bottas
