OPINION: Cadillac Made the Safe, but Correct Hires

EDDIE KALEGI - STAFF WRITER

Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez announced as Cadillac F1 Team's maiden driver lineup. Photo credit @Cadillac_F1 on X, August 26th, 2025.

On Tuesday morning, in a John Wick inspired reveal featuring actor Keanu Reeves that looked as purely rugged American as it sounds, Cadillac F1 Team, the United States’ newest representation on the Formula One grid, announced its inaugural driver tandem, making it clear that experience mattered to the rookie organization.

The team will boast a pair of former Grand Prix winners in its arsenal, as ten-time victor Valtteri Bottas and six-time top dog Sergio Perez will be behind the wheel of American machinery in the World Championship next spring.

Despite months of rumors surrounding potential American drivers securing superlicenses and occupying seats, most notably Colton Herta, or tangentially, speculation that Alex Palou, a Spaniard but a household name in the states because of his four NTT INDYCAR Series titles in the past half decade, was also a suitor, Dan Towriss and company prioritized veteran expertise over American familiarity. I believe this was the right decision.

While both drivers admittedly struggled during their most recent stints on the grid, they both have undeniably had successful careers. Beyond the aforementioned victories, Perez and Bottas have combined for six podium finishes in the World Driver’s Championship, with the former finishing second only to teammate Max Verstappen just two years ago.

They’ve also done more with less before, which is the perfect trait to have for the first drivers with a startup organization that probably has more questions than answers at the moment. Bottas scored consecutive top five points finishes with Williams in 2014 and 2015, while Perez sprung to fourth in the final standings during his last season with Racing Point in 2020, results that led to both drivers’ promotions to top tier equipment.

Having two proven drivers sets up Cadillac in a far better way for its maiden season than by adding an unproven rookie to the fold. Although a driver from an American background would’ve been appealing to the American fan, given the rigors of Formula One, especially for newcomers in recent years, it just wouldn’t have been the right fit. And for someone like Colton Herta, who would’ve required ample track time to earn his superlicense, who’s to say that the process wouldn’t have had added hurdles for him, given the FIA’s blatant anti-American bias at points, including the barriers to entry this very team faced for months before ultimate approval?

Plus, it’s not like American fans won’t be drawn to “Checo” and Bottas, two of the most likable personalities in the F1 sphere. Mexican-born Perez already has plenty of fans in the states, while Bottas is already trying to ingratiate himself with American motorsports culture, speaking about the desire to potentially compete in the Indianapolis 500 in the not so distant future.

It won’t be easy for Cadillac to stand out from the rest of the grid in 2026, but by signing two veterans who have tasted victory in the World Championship before, Dan Towriss has put his operation in the best position possible.