Cadillac has officially shut down rumors that Christian Horner would join their new F1 team, reaffirming full support for Graeme Lowdon. The American manufacturer has also confirmed Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez as their inaugural drivers for the 2026 F1 season.
Why it matters:
This announcement clarifies Cadillac's F1 team leadership, solidifies its future direction, and unveils an experienced driver pairing essential for its 2026 Formula 1 debut.
The details:
- Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsport, which operates Cadillac’s F1 team, dismissed the speculation during a press conference. "There have been no talks with Christian Horner, no plans to do that," Towriss stated. "So I’d like to officially shut down that rumor. Our support, belief, backing is 100 percent in Graeme Lowdon."
- Graeme Lowdon, who previously served as CEO for Virgin/Marussia/Manor, has overseen Cadillac’s F1 build-up from its inception, managing staffing, facilities, and driver recruitment. Under his leadership, the team has already been conducting ‘race-ready’ weekend simulations in preparation for its 2026 grid debut.
- Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez were confirmed after an extensive search process that included over 15 candidates and narrowed down to four pairings, balancing youth and experience. Towriss explained that Bottas and Pérez emerged from a "pressure-tested" process that evaluated leadership, performance, and technical feedback. "We believe their experience, their leadership and their technical acumen are really what we need," Towriss said.
- General Motors President Mark Reuss echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the value of experienced driver feedback in shaping Cadillac’s first F1 car.
What's next:
Towriss added that while a pathway for an American driver remains a long-term priority, proven experience was deemed essential for the team's inaugural campaign.