Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas will return to Formula 1 in 2026 as Cadillac's first race drivers, the American manufacturer announced Tuesday, signaling a strategy built on experience for its debut season in the sport.

Perez and Bottas, both 35, are sitting out the 2025 campaign after having lost their seats at Red Bull and Sauber respectively. Between them they bring more than 20 years of grand prix experience, 16 race wins and multiple constructors' championship titles.

Valtteri Bottas negotiates a bend during the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne, March 24, 2024. The Finn would finish 14th after a slow pitstop. (Photo courtesy of Stake F1 Team)

The announcement confirms Cadillac's intention to prioritize proven racecraft as it enters F1 under the 2026 regulations, which will feature heavily revised hybrid power units. The Detroit-based marque, backed by General Motors, joins the grid at the same time as Audi, which has acquired the Sauber team.

Dan Towriss, chief executive officer of General Motors' partner TWG Motorsports, said the team had considered signing a young and up-and-coming driver before confirming Perez and Bottas.

"Their experience, leadership and technical acumen are what we need," Towriss said. "We're humbled by their belief in us and this project.

"There is a young pool of drivers who are exciting and very talented so it was a tough decision. But it was the leadership of these two drivers that stood out."

Perez, a six-time grand prix winner, said he hoped joining Cadillac would reignite his passion for F1.

"I had a very difficult final year with Red Bull, it is a sport I love and I want to get back to enjoyment and this brings me the excitement back because I can put all my experience and try to help this team more forward," the Mexican said.

"We want to move forward as quickly as possible. We know we don't have time on our side. But we are bringing as much experience as possible, and we believe in the project that we can move quickly forwards."

Bottas, who won 10 races with Mercedes and was part of five constructors' championship-winning seasons, said he was excited about the opportunity to return to the sport with a new team.

"The first talks we had was about two years ago. Early on it was clear to me that I wanted to be part of this great brand, this start-up team but with great structure and big goals," stated the Finn.

"Of course, we are realistic, it is a mountain of work to do, and it is F1. But we are not here to stay at the back and with this structure and group of people there is no reason why we shouldn't be able to get quickly to the pace."

The pair's signing means it looks increasingly unlikely that China's Zhou Guanyu will return to the grid in 2026.

The Shanghai native is currently Ferrari's reserve driver after losing his race seat at Sauber last year, and though several teams are yet to confirm their 2026 lineups, Zhou is not thought to be in contention for any of them.