Valtteri Bottas is reportedly nearing a deal with Cadillac for a Formula 1 race seat, leaving one highly sought-after position as the grid expands to 22 cars. Sergio Perez is considered a strong candidate for the second seat, offering valuable experience and Mexican support.Why it matters:As a new F1 entrant, Cadillac faces a critical driver decision. A Bottas/Perez lineup, though not a long-term solution (both 35), would bring a combined 532 race starts, 16 wins, and deep technical knowledge. This is crucial for a team building from scratch without historical data, providing essential feedback and a known performance baseline to accelerate development.The big picture: Historical driver selection for new F1 teams:Haas (2016): Paired experienced Romain Grosjean with Ferrari simulator driver Esteban Gutierrez. Grosjean scored points, Gutierrez struggled. Preferred experience.Lotus (2010): Signed Heikki Kovalainen and Jarno Trulli (both race winners). Experienced drivers, limited by car, still performed best among new entrants.Virgin (2010): Recruited Timo Glock (experienced) and rookie Lucas di Grassi. Glock performed well, di Grassi less so. Mixed approach.HRT (2010): Signed Bruno Senna and Karun Chandhok (financially backed rookies). Underprepared car, off pace, replaced by pay drivers. Rookie risk.Super Aguri (2006): Centered around Takuma Sato (experienced). Rookie Yuji Ide was unprepared and had his superlicence withdrawn. High risk with an unprepared rookie.Toyota (2002): Lured Mika Salo (Ferrari experience) and Le Mans winner Allan McNish. Experience brought a point on debut.Stewart (1997): Rubens Barrichello (experienced) joined Jackie Stewart’s new team with promising rookie Jan Magnussen. Barrichello achieved a podium, Magnussen struggled.Lola (1997): Signed rookies Vincenzo Sospiri and Ricardo Rosset. The car was catastrophically slow, failing the 107% rule, leading to team collapse. Extreme risk.What's next:A Bottas/Perez combination is a pragmatically sensible choice for a new team, offering stability and accelerating development. Historical examples show that experienced drivers are generally safer bets for initial success. Cadillac's final decision will signal its immediate ambitions and strategy.
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