Cadillac could now delay signing Sergio Perez to pair Valtteri Bottas with ‘struggling’ F1 driver

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Cadillac are now set to sign Valtteri Bottas as their first F1 driver, but the second seat with the General Motors team is still ‘uncertain’ despite their talks with Sergio Perez.

Both veteran drivers have been hotly tipped to sign for Cadillac since F1 confirmed in March that GM would bring its brand to the grid in 2026. The field expanding to 22 cars for the first time in a decade has long been seen as the easiest way for Bottas and Perez to return to F1.

It is even widely expected that Cadillac will confirm the signing of Bottas in the coming days, with an announcement possible at the Dutch Grand Prix. The 2025 F1 season will resume at Zandvoort on August 29-31 after the summer break, yet attention is already turning to 2026.

Reports have also claimed that Cadillac could announce the signing of Perez at Monza when the Temple of Speed stages the Italian Grand Prix on September 5-7. But the Mexican might need to wait longer to know if he will join Bottas, as Cadillac boast a long list of alternatives.

Cadillac could delay signing Sergio Perez to see if Alpine release Franco Colapinto

Bottas ‘seems certain’ to sign for Cadillac, according to Autosprint, but there is ‘uncertainty’ surrounding Perez also spearheading the GM brand’s F1 debut. While the 35-year-old is the ‘most popular’ driver for Cadillac’s second seat, they are looking to keep their options open.

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

Cadillac are keeping close tabs on how developments unfold at Alpine as Franco Colapinto is yet to secure his long-term future with the Enstone squad. The Argentine has so far failed to prove that he is a clear upgrade on Jack Doohan since taking the Australian’s drive this May.

Should Alpine elect to release Colapinto, either during the 2025 season or at the end of this year, then Cadillac could explore a swoop for the 22-year-old. Alpine paid Williams £8.5m to sign Colapinto on a five-year loan deal back in January, with the view to him racing for them.

Colapinto initially joined Alpine as a reserve driver, yet he ousted Doohan after just six races as executive adviser Flavio Briatore rates the Buenos Aires native very highly. But Alpine are still waiting to see Colapinto register his first points after eight Grand Prix and one F1 Sprint.

Franco Colapinto should see out 2025 with Alpine, but his future is very uncertain

Alpine are expected to give Colapinto the rest of the 2025 F1 season to find his form in their A525. But Briatore has not ruled out making another driver change towards the close of the campaign, if not sooner, if the Williams academy product cannot improve his performances.

READ MORE: Who is Alpine 2025 F1 driver Franco Colapinto? Everything you need to know

No team has fewer points in the F1 constructors’ standings than Alpine, who have 20 thanks only to Pierre Gasly. The Frenchman has also scored 13 of his points since Doohan was axed. Colapinto has not finished a Grand Prix higher than his P13 finishes in Monaco and Canada.

Colapinto admits he is “struggling” with adapting to Alpine’s car, owing to the differences he has felt between their Renault power unit and the Mercedes engine he ran with Williams in nine rounds last year. He replaced Logan Sargeant at Williams until Carlos Sainz then arrived.