New System 1 entrant Cadillac have signed Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas as their drivers for his or her debut marketing campaign in 2026.
The skilled duo will each return after a 12 months away from the grid, with Perez having been axed by Purple Bull on the finish of a disappointing 2024 marketing campaign, simply months after he had signed a contract extension with the Milton Keynes squad.
Bottas, who drove alongside Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes from 2017 to 2021, has been serving as Silver Arrows reserve driver in the course of the 2025 season after Sauber selected to not renew his expiring deal on the finish of 2024.
In each instances, it was initially unclear as as to whether their F1 careers have been over, however Cadillac’s clear want for expertise within the cockpit has afforded them every one other likelihood in motorsport’s elite class.
Crew principal Graeme Lowdon declared the double signing a “daring sign of intent”.
“They’ve seen all of it they usually know what it takes to reach System 1. However extra importantly, they perceive what it means to assist construct a crew,” added Lowdon.
“Their management, suggestions, race-hardened instincts and naturally their velocity might be invaluable as we convey this crew to life.”
Many had anticipated Cadillac, who’re coming into F1 as the game’s eleventh crew alongside American automobile producer Common Motors, to signal a minimum of one US driver however the brand new outfit have opted to pair drivers with a mixed complete of 527 begins, 106 podiums and 16 wins.
Take a look at Sergio Perez’s 5 race wins throughout his time at Purple Bull
Perez, 35, will contest his fifteenth season in F1. The six-time Grand Prix winner has additionally beforehand pushed for Sauber, McLaren, Drive India and Racing Level, and claimed a career-best second-placed Drivers’ Championship end behind team-mate Max Verstappen as Purple Bull gained the constructors’ title in 2023.
Bottas, who turns 36 on Thursday, started his F1 profession with Williams in 2013 earlier than being paired with Hamilton in 2017.
Look again at Valtteri Bottas’ greatest wins from his time at Mercedes
The Finn has 10 Grand Prix victories and 20 pole positions to his title, and completed second to Hamilton within the Drivers’ Championship in each 2019 and 2020. He spent three seasons with Sauber after being changed by George Russell at Mercedes.
Extra to comply with…
System 1 returns after the summer season break with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on August 29-31, reside on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
