Cadillac's recently announced 2026 Formula 1 driver lineup has achieved a unique podium finish, not on the track, but in a special ranking of combined career race starts. Even before their first lap, the team's new pairing sits third among all current and announced F1 teams.
Why it matters
Experience is a crucial factor in Formula 1, and Cadillac's decision to bring in two seasoned veterans signals a strong intent for their debut. This unique metric highlights the immediate competitive edge they gain in terms of on-track knowledge.
The details
Cadillac revealed its 2026 F1 driver lineup with former Mercedes and Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas joining ex-Red Bull and Racing Point driver Sergio Pérez. Fans quickly noticed their combined experience placed Cadillac on an 'experience podium'.
- Combined Race Starts: Bottas and Pérez bring a total of 527 Grand Prix starts to Cadillac.
- Experience Ranking: This figure places Cadillac as the third most experienced lineup, just behind Ferrari (531 starts) and Aston Martin (594 starts).
The big picture
Surprisingly, this puts Cadillac ahead of several top teams in terms of driver experience. Mercedes, for example, is near the bottom with 156 starts due to rookie Kimi Antonelli's limited race history. McLaren also trails significantly with 202 starts between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Fernando Alonso alone, with his 415 starts, would place fourth in this ranking, surpassing the entire Williams team's total of 337 starts.