Perez Secured Cadillac F1 Seat After Impressive Interview, Says Towriss

Cadillac F1 boss Dan Towriss has revealed that Sergio Perez's exceptional interview performance was the deciding factor in securing his 2026 Formula 1 seat, overriding the team's initial preference for a younger driver.

Why it matters

Cadillac, backed by General Motors, surprised many by confirming a veteran lineup of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas for their 2026 F1 debut. With a combined 527 Grands Prix starts and 16 wins, their experience is invaluable, a shift from Cadillac's initial recruitment strategy.

The big picture

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 at Monza, Towriss explained that Perez's motivation and aspirations were central to Cadillac's evaluation. The team sought to understand his desire to race, his career goals, and his enthusiasm for the new project.

The details

Perez's responses profoundly impressed Cadillac's leadership. Towriss noted:

• "He nailed the meeting." Perez's ability to articulate his vision and passion immediately altered the team's approach.
• His extensive experience began to stand out against younger, less seasoned candidates.
• This led Cadillac to prioritize proven veteran leadership for their inaugural F1 campaign.

What's next

Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas are now poised to provide crucial guidance as Cadillac navigates its entry into F1 under the 2026 regulations. This decision underscores Cadillac's belief that experience is paramount for building a new F1 program, with Perez's interview performance proving instrumental in reshaping the team's strategy and securing his future.