Confusion over Perez signature – Cadillac sighs as Perez rumours swirl and driver deals drag on – Cadillac’s entry into Formula 1 was always going to ignite the rumour mill, but the latest reports on the team’s 2026 driver line-up have left more questions than answers. What was billed by some as a done deal now appears to be far less certain, as whispers of signed contracts turn out to be, at best, premature optimism.
The American manufacturer, set to make its F1 debut next season, has been linked heavily with Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas as its first race pairing. Earlier this month, PlanetF1 claimed, citing multiple sources, that Perez and Cadillac had already reached an agreement, with the grand reveal pencilled in for the Italian Grand Prix in Monza this September. It was the sort of neatly packaged rumour that fans and media alike love to believe.
Unfortunately, GPBlog has poured a bucket of cold water over the story. According to their sources, Perez hasn’t signed anything yet. In fact, Cadillac bosses are said to have “sighed” upon reading the premature headlines, perhaps wondering how they were going to keep a poker face for the next few weeks. While the Mexican’s arrival in the US squad is still very much on the table, there’s a recognition internally that much can change between now and the Monza weekend.
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Bottas deal further along – but not done yet
If Perez’s situation is in limbo, Valtteri Bottas’s appears to be a step closer to resolution. Mid-July reports claimed the Finn had also reached an agreement with Cadillac. Bottas himself fanned the flames shortly afterwards, admitting that a deal with the Americans was “very close.” GPBlog suggests there is little doubt about his signing, but the paperwork still hasn’t been completed, and the team is keeping quiet about when an official announcement might come.
The Bottas-Perez pairing would give Cadillac an experienced, steady-handed debut line-up. Both drivers are in their mid-thirties, both have long F1 careers behind them, and both have the sort of commercial appeal that an ambitious new team will find useful. The trouble is, in modern Formula 1, “almost done” deals have a habit of collapsing without warning.
Schumacher linked with reserve role
Alongside its main driver search, Cadillac has also been in talks with a number of other names, including Mick Schumacher. The German has been out of a race seat since leaving Haas at the end of 2022 but has remained in the paddock as Mercedes’ reserve driver while pursuing a parallel career in sportscar racing.
According to Auto Motor und Sport, Cadillac has discussed a potential test and reserve role with Schumacher, allowing him to keep his F1 links alive while continuing to race in the World Endurance Championship. Whether this dual role comes to fruition remains to be seen, but his inclusion on Cadillac’s shortlist confirms the team is considering depth beyond its starting duo.
Waiting for Monza – or longer
The original PlanetF1 report suggested Monza as the stage for Cadillac’s big driver announcement, but given the current uncertainty, that timeline looks increasingly ambitious. While Bottas’s deal seems to be on a smoother track, Perez’s situation is clearly more fluid, and even the reserve role talks with Schumacher have yet to reach a conclusion.
For Cadillac, the pressure is mounting. The team’s arrival on the F1 grid is already one of the most anticipated debuts in recent years, and their driver choices will be scrutinised as much for the message they send as for the results they eventually deliver. Experienced veterans signal a pragmatic, points-gathering approach. A wildcard choice could hint at longer-term ambitions.
For now, the only certainty is that the final announcement will be watched closely by fans, rivals, and sponsors alike. The “sighs” in the Cadillac camp suggest they’d like the speculation to be over sooner rather than later—but in Formula 1, the waiting game is often part of the show.
What do you think, jury – will Cadillac get their dream pairing of Bottas and Perez, or will another twist send the rumour mill into overdrive again? Let us know your verdict in the comments below, and while you’re at it, we’re trying to grow a new online F1 community over on Facebook in the TJ13 Jury Room. Join the discussion here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/708095665600791
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Mercedes’ team boss, Toto Wolff has openly admitted to talking to Max Verstappen about a potential move from Red Bull to Mercedes which has been widely accepted as the reason George Russell, despite his best start to an F1 season, remains in the final year of his previous “one plus one” year deal he signed when Hamilton was at the team.
In F1, contracts are often announced as “multi-year” deals when in fact they are a “one plus one,” meaning one year is guaranteed then both parties can if they wish agree to a further one year extension. The smoke and mirrors is designed to present the image of stability, when in reality the team wishes to keep its options open for one reason or another…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
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