Hold your breath, F1 fans! Cadillac just dropped a bombshell, signing Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas for their 2026 debut! What do the current grid’s biggest stars think about Checo’s sabbatical and Bottas’s return? The reactions are in, and they’re more fascinating than a pit stop under pressure. Could this be the masterstroke for Cadillac’s entry?
The Formula 1 paddock is abuzz with reactions following the monumental announcement of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas joining Cadillac for their highly anticipated 2026 debut, marking a significant shift in the sport’s driver landscape and generating considerable discussion among current competitors.
Central to these discussions is Sergio Perez’s upcoming sabbatical in 2025, a strategic pause after his departure from Red Bull. Many, including seasoned Formula 1 driver Nico Hulkenberg, believe this enforced break will prove profoundly beneficial, allowing the Mexican driver to return to the grid refreshed, re-energized, and with renewed vigor for the challenges ahead.
Hulkenberg, who himself experienced a similar hiatus from a full-time Formula 1 seat between 2020 and 2022 before orchestrating a successful return with Haas and then Sauber, offers a unique and credible perspective. His own journey back to the pinnacle of motorsport lends significant weight to the idea that a well-timed sabbatical can serve as a powerful reset for experienced Grand Prix winners.
Esteban Ocon, a former teammate of Perez during their time at Force India, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the immense and invaluable experience both Perez and Valtteri Bottas bring to the nascent Cadillac F1 team. He specifically highlighted their collective hundreds of Grand Prix races and profound understanding of intricate team dynamics and the demanding operational mechanics of Formula 1.
Ocon further elaborated on the strategic advantage of entering a new era of cars in 2026, suggesting that the extensive testing opportunities available before the competitive season will significantly ease the transition for returning drivers like Perez and Bottas. This crucial period of learning and adaptation will be critical for all teams, making the experienced duo even more valuable to Cadillac’s ambitious F1 debut.
Even Max Verstappen, who was Sergio Perez’s Red Bull teammate from 2021 to 2024, weighed in on the matter, dismissing the notion that Perez’s challenging final year with the Austrian outfit would define his entire career as a driver. Verstappen pointed to Perez’s prior achievements and innate talent, encouraging him to rediscover his enjoyment and passion for the sport with Cadillac.
Sergio Perez himself views the monumental Cadillac move as potentially his “last major project in Formula 1,” a poignant and reflective sentiment given he will be 36 years old by the commencement of the 2026 season. His stated aspiration is to actively help establish Cadillac as one of the most successful teams in the future, underscoring his deep commitment to this ambitious new endeavor.
Valtteri Bottas’s return, following his reserve role this year after his departure from Sauber, alongside Perez, unequivocally signals Cadillac’s serious intent to make an immediate and impactful splash in Formula 1. The American outfit is clearly investing heavily in proven talent to expertly navigate the inherent complexities of entering the elite motorsport championship.
The collective sentiment among the Formula 1 drivers points towards a prevailing sense of optimism for both Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas. Many anticipate that their combined wealth of experience and the unique circumstances surrounding Cadillac’s F1 debut could collectively pave the way for a compelling and exciting new chapter in the illustrious history of Formula 1.
