Cadillac F1 Shuts Down Christian Horner Rumors, Confirms Bottas and Perez for 2026

Why it matters: Cadillac F1 has officially clarified its stance on former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and announced its inaugural driver lineup for the 2026 season, marking a significant step for the new American entrant. ## The big picture: These announcements provide crucial insights into Cadillac's team structure and future ambitions as F1 prepares for major regulation changes in 2026. ## The details: * No Horner plans: Cadillac F1 CEO Dan Towriss "officially shut down" rumors linking Christian Horner to the team. Horner was dismissed from Red Bull after the British Grand Prix and is expected to return to F1 in an ownership role. * 2026 Driver Lineup: Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas are confirmed to drive for Cadillac F1 in 2026. This confirmation follows earlier reports. * Bottas's enthusiasm: Valtteri Bottas expressed optimism, noting he sees "the same hunger and professionalism" in Cadillac as he did in his previous successful teams. This marks his return to F1 less than a year after his last Sauber appearance. * Perez's ambition: Sergio Perez aims to transform Cadillac F1 into a "real contender" and embraces its identity as "the team of the Americas." He returns to F1 after vacating his Red Bull seat last season. * Expert reaction: Alex Brundle supports the experienced lineup of Bottas and Perez, citing their combined 527 F1 starts. While he'd like to see a young American talent in F1, he believes the team benefits from "known quantities" initially.