Cadillac Confirms Bottas, Perez for 2026 F1; Leclerc Defends Hamilton Amid Ferrari Struggles

The Big Reveal Cadillac has officially announced its 2026 Formula 1 driver pairing: Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez. This new lineup positions Cadillac with the third most experienced driver pairing on the 2026 grid. Driver Reflections * Sergio Perez explained that his time away from Formula 1 this year was crucial for him to "disconnect" following his departure from Red Bull last year. He emphasized the importance of this break after a challenging end to his Red Bull career. * Charles Leclerc has defended his new Ferrari teammate, Lewis Hamilton, stating it is "too early" to judge Hamilton's performance despite a difficult start to his tenure at the Scuderia. Team Dynamics Oscar Piastri expressed caution regarding the potential for "teams unravelling" in a heated intra-team F1 title fight. As he prepares to battle Lando Norris for the drivers' crown, Piastri highlighted concerns about past McLaren history in such intense scenarios. Regulatory Update The FIA has decided to increase the pit-lane speed limit for the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. This change aims to introduce greater strategic variation during the race weekend.