Cadillac is gearing up to make its highly anticipated debut as the 11th team on the Formula 1 grid in 2026, and all signs point to Mexican driver Sergio “Checo” Pérez leading the charge. According to reports from Auto Motor und Sport and other sources, Cadillac is expected to announce Pérez as its first driver before the F1 summer break begins on August 4. The move would mark a major comeback for Pérez, who has spent the 2025 season on the sidelines after leaving Red Bull Racing at the end of 2024.
Pérez’s name has gained significant traction in recent weeks, with Cadillac co-owner Dan Towriss, team director Graeme Lowdon, and technical advisor Pat Symonds reportedly holding key meetings during the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. The Mexican driver, known for his 281 Grand Prix appearances and commercial appeal across Latin America, is seen as the ideal candidate to spearhead Cadillac’s ambitious F1 project. His ability to attract lucrative sponsorships, as demonstrated during his time with Red Bull, gives him a competitive edge over other contenders. Pérez’s return to F1 would also be financially beneficial for both parties, with Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim reportedly involved in the deal. Cadillac is expected to make the announcement official shortly after the Hungarian Grand Prix in August, which concludes the first half of the 2025 F1 season.
Pérez’s journey back to F1 has been anything but smooth. After finishing runner-up to Max Verstappen in the 2023 World Championship, his form declined sharply in 2024, leading to his departure from Red Bull despite signing a two-year extension earlier that year. He was replaced by Liam Lawson, who lasted only two races before being dropped in favor of Yuki Tsunoda. However, Tsunoda has also struggled, failing to score points since May’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Meanwhile, Verstappen himself has faced challenges with the Red Bull RB21, trailing championship leader Oscar Piastri by 69 points heading into the Belgian Grand Prix. These struggles have vindicated Pérez’s reputation, making him an attractive option for Cadillac’s debut season.
While Pérez is poised to take the lead, Cadillac’s second seat remains up for grabs. Initially, the team aimed to include an American driver, with IndyCar star Colton Herta as the frontrunner. However, Herta’s lack of superlicence points and the declining candidacy of other American drivers like Kyle Kirkwood have forced Cadillac to look elsewhere. The current shortlist includes experienced drivers like Valtteri Bottas and young talents such as Mick Schumacher. Bottas, who returned to Mercedes as a reserve driver in 2025, is also in talks with Alpine to replace Franco Colapinto, whose underwhelming performances have drawn criticism from Alpine’s influential advisor Flavio Briatore. If Bottas joins Alpine, Schumacher could emerge as Cadillac’s backup option. The German driver, currently competing in the World Endurance Series for Alpine, has been actively seeking a return to F1 and attended Cadillac’s official launch at the Miami Grand Prix.
Cadillac’s entry into Formula 1 represents a bold new chapter for the American automaker. The team’s leadership has emphasized the importance of pairing an experienced driver like Pérez with a younger talent to build a competitive lineup. With Pérez’s marketability and proven track record, Cadillac aims to make a strong impression in its debut season. The stakes are high for all involved, particularly for Schumacher, whose F1 future hinges on securing the second seat. If he fails to land the drive, his hopes of returning to the grid may be extinguished for good.
As Cadillac finalizes its lineup, the team is also preparing for the significant regulatory changes coming in 2026, including the introduction of its own engines in partnership with General Motors.
