Cadillac’s Formula 1 plans gain two seasoned drivers as the brand bets on experience for its debut season
Cadillac has confirmed its driver lineup for its forthcoming Formula 1 entry, tapping two drivers with extensive winning pedigrees: Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez. Bottas, who has spent this season as Mercedes’ third driver, brings long-running top-tier experience, while Pérez, who recently parted ways with Red Bull, returns to a high-profile racing environment. The move marks a clear shift toward stability and proven competitiveness as Cadillac enters F1.
The choice followed internal discussions over possible options, with Cadillac reportedly considering American prospects Colton Herta and Jak Crawford before settling on Bottas and Pérez. Luke Smith, who explored Cadillac’s decision-making, underscored the emphasis on “experience, experience, experience” as a critical factor for a new constructor stepping onto the Formula 1 stage. In context, Bottas’ role as part of Mercedes’ dominant era and Pérez’s years alongside Max Verstappen with Red Bull were seen as ideal for helping Cadillac navigate the team-building phase and race-to-race development.
Herta, it should be noted, is not yet eligible for an F1 superlicense, narrowing the field of potential candidates. Other familiar names in consideration—such as Zhou Guanyu, Yuki Tsunoda, Daniel Ricciardo—were weighed against Bottas and Pérez, but the final decision leans heavily on the value of shared winning environments. The consensus among analysts is that Bottas and Pérez provide a benchmark of reliability and performance that could help Cadillac manage the inevitable growing pains of a new constructor.
F1 is back, with a Dutch Grand Prix weekend that promises a testing and intriguing chapter in the title race. Max Verstappen will be aiming to remind the world he remains in prime form in his home nation, with a qualifying performance that could unlock his pace on race day. For McLaren, Lando Norris is riding a hot streak after a dominant win last season at this venue, while his teammate Oscar Piastri sits close in the standings, making the title battle a tight showdown with nine points separating the pair.
All eyes, beyond the title fight, will also be on whether Hamilton and Ferrari can regain their earlier rhythm. Monza, the following race, will serve as a critical checkpoint in assessing whether Ferrari’s form shift after the break was merely temporary or a sign of a broader recovery.
The weekend’s on-track action will be complemented by F1 Academy’s presence at Zandvoort, adding another layer of drama. After a Montreal weekend that saw multiple different winners, Doriane Pin leads the standings with 109 points, ahead of Chloe Chambers, while Maya Weug sits third with 72 points and has shown pace with four podiums this season. Rookie Ella Lloyd and Esmee Kosterman also figure prominently as the Dutch GP weekend wild card and standout new talents, respectively. Rain is forecast across the three days, which could shuffle the grid and inject unpredictability into the action, especially with the possibility of reversing the top eight on Race 1’s grid if conditions permit.
Outside the points
– A lighthearted trip into preseason predictions remains a talking point, with readers enjoying the revisitation of those forecasts.
– Luke Smith’s feature on how McLaren rebuilt its F1 machine is highlighted as a must-read.
– Readers reacted strongly to where Hamilton ranked in midseason driver rankings, a topic that stirred plenty of discussion.
What to watch this weekend
– The Dutch GP will test whether Verstappen can translate raw pace into consistent performance in front of a home crowd.
– Norris’s form vs. Piastri’s surge will shape how McLaren’s early-season momentum carries into the final stretch.
– Hamilton’s mental reset and Ferrari’s adaptation will be critical as teams push for momentum in the closing phase of the season.
– The F1 Academy battle at Zandvoort adds a parallel storyline with title contenders and potential stars of the future.
Weekend schedule highlights
– Friday: FP1 at 7:30 a.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. BST; FP2 at 11:00 a.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. BST
– Saturday: FP3 at 6:30 a.m. ET / 11:30 a.m. BST; Qualifying at 10:00 a.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. BST
– Sunday: Dutch Grand Prix at 9:00 a.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. BST
Commentary and outlook
Cadillac’s driver pairing signals a deliberate strategy to ground its F1 project in proven race-winners who understand what it takes to extract performance from a car day in, day out. Bottas’ consistency and Pérez’s ability to operate at the front with a top team could give Cadillac a steadier launch than a raw talent-heavy approach. If the engine project remains on schedule and the chassis program progresses as hoped, the early part of 2025 could show a measured trajectory of improvement rather than immediate championship contention—an approach critics and fans alike often view as prudent for a new constructor.
Summary
– Cadillac confirms Bottas and Pérez as its two F1 drivers, prioritizing experience for its debut season and leaving room for development with a stable core.
– The Dutch GP weekend promises drama with Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, and Hamilton in the mix, alongside a forecast of rain that could mix up results.
– F1 Academy at Zandvoort offers additional subplots and a glimpse of future stars.
– The combined focus on proven speed and strategic development suggests Cadillac aims for steady progress through the remainder of the season, with a hopeful outlook for growth and competitiveness.
Positive note
Fans can look forward to a weekend of high-stakes racing, with Cadillac’s driver lineup bringing a blend of championship-winning experience and the opportunity to build a formidable foundation for the team’s ongoing F1 journey.