Cadillac is reportedly nearing deals to secure both Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez for its inaugural Formula 1 driver line-up. Discussions are at an advanced stage, with main terms agreed upon weeks ago, though contracts are not yet signed.
Why it matters
Securing two race-winning and highly experienced drivers would be a significant coup for Cadillac, a new team entering F1 with a relatively short lead time. Their combined knowledge will be invaluable in accelerating the team's development and overcoming initial competitive disadvantages.
The details
- Preferred Choices: Bottas and Perez have been Cadillac's top choices for several months. Other drivers considered included Zhou Guanyu, Felipe Drugovich, and Paul Aron.
- Experience Over Youth: A late-July meeting involving General Motors and TWG Global stakeholders solidified the preference for experienced drivers.
- Imminent Announcement: While an announcement before the F1 summer break did not materialize, Cadillac may confirm both drivers simultaneously, possibly as early as the F1 season's resumption next week, if deals are finalized swiftly.
- Strategic Advantage: Signing them early would allow immediate integration into simulator development and potentially on-track testing with an older car, aiding team preparation.
Driver Profiles
- Valtteri Bottas: A 10-time Grand Prix winner who finished runner-up in the championship twice with Mercedes. He is a Mercedes reserve driver and would likely be cleared to work with Cadillac promptly.
- Sergio Perez: Winner of six races, he supported Max Verstappen to Red Bull's first-ever 1-2 in the drivers' championship in 2023. Perez is currently a free agent.
Wealth of Experience
Both drivers boast impressive F1 experience:
- Perez ranks 8th all-time in F1 starts (281).
- Bottas is equal 13th (246 starts).
- Only Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso on the current grid have started more races.
Though both will be 36 next season and were recently discarded by top teams, their decision to pursue multi-year deals with Cadillac over established teams like Alpine (which had contact with both) signals strong confidence in the project.
What's next
Cadillac expects to face competitive disadvantages initially due to its recent entry confirmation. Having two drivers who understand setbacks and have experience with both midfield and dominant teams will be critical. Their insights into successful F1 processes, systems, and infrastructure will provide crucial references as Cadillac builds its F1 operation from the ground up.
Signing race-winning drivers is a rarity for new F1 entries. The last such instance was Lotus in 2010 (Heikki Kovalainen, Jarno Trulli), preceded by Jacques Villeneuve joining BAR in 1999.