Cadillac CEO reveals how Sergio Perez convinced him not to sign a young driver alongside Valtteri Bottas

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Cadillac have recently announced who will be in the seats of their first F1 car ahead of their maiden season in Formula 1, putting their trust in the experience of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas.

A younger driver was expected to fill one of the seats, with many believing that the American constructor would opt for an experienced driver to help develop the car to race alongside a rookie whom they could build around in the future.

Both Perez and Bottas are signed to multi-year deals, with a clause in both contracts that means that Cadillac can’t terminate them early in favour of another driver.

IndyCar star Colton Herta has been signed as Cadillac’s reserve driver for 2026. The American driver is expected to be the long-term option for the team once he has gained enough points to be granted a super licence.

READ MORE: All to know about General Motors’ Cadillac F1 team from engine to drivers

Dan Towriss reveals that Cadillac were looking at a younger driver before interviewing Sergio Perez

Speaking to David Croft and Jamie Chadwick in Sky Sports F1’s commentary box during FP3 at the Italian Grand Prix, Cadillac CEO Dan Towriss was fielded a number of questions regarding the team’s introduction to the F1 grid.

One of the questions that Croft asked was regarding the candidacy of Perez and how the team approached the interview with the Mexican driver. When prompted on what questions were asked of Perez, Towriss replied, “Do you want to race again? Where was he at in his career?

“What were his aspirations? And was he excited about the project, and what was he looking to do? What did he have left to prove in his career?

“And so as he went through that meeting, Checo’s experience just really came through him. He nailed the meeting, and he left really excited about his candidacy.

“Before that, we were looking at a younger driver, but he was fantastic, and the experience really starts to separate itself from those who haven’t been in a seat yet.”

READ MORE: Cadillac driver Sergio Perez’s life outside F1 from net worth to nickname

Cadillac aren’t expected to be at the back of the grid in their maiden F1 season

With Cadillac being a brand-new team to join the grid, there will be some teething issues that could hinder their first few races before they find their footing.

However, due to the F1’s 2026 regulations completely overhauling the current spec of cars, the pecking order of the grid will be thrown up in the air. Despite Audi not being a completely new entry with their rebrand of Sauber, they are entering the sport as a new engine manufacturer.

The F1 paddock believes Audi’s engine forecasts will see them at the bottom of the order. Of course, nothing concrete will be known until the first tests of the season in Barcelona and Bahrain, but the ‘general belief’ of the paddock is that it will save Cadillac from occupying the 11th-place spot.

The 2026 season will likely be seen as a prologue for the Cadillac team. With two experienced drivers at the wheel, they can get the team in a position where they’re on the incline and set their sights on 2027 to improve on their 2026 results.

IndyCar champion Alex Palou hopes that his former rival Herta will be on the grid at that point, which could be a good advert for more IndyCar drivers making the move over in the future.