Mick Schumacher snubbed as Cadillac finally confirm F1 legends as new driver line-up
Cadillac has revealed its Formula 1 driver line-up and it’s bad news for Mick Schumacher.
The American constructor is set to enter F1 next season as the 11th team with speculation rife for months on who would be their driver pairing.
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That decision has now been made with Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez the chosen duo for the team's debut in 2026.
It is a new dawn for Perez who was axed by Red Bull at the end of the 2024 season and replaced by Liam Lawson.
Meanwhile, Mercedes reserve and ex-Sauber driver Bottas, is back in the spotlight having reportedly turned down Alpine in favour of Cadillac.
Schumacher, son of legendary F1 star Michael, was rumoured to be one of the leading candidates for Cadillac only to be snubbed in favour of the pair.
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Perez, now 35, has accepted a multi-year deal covering at least two seasons with an option for a third.
With a difficult first season in F1 expected, Cadillac wisely opted for experience with two drivers who know the circuit well.
Cadillac have confirmed that they will be based both in the UK and the US and will be powered by Ferrari engines.
The two drivers are expected to have equal status in the squad with Perez set to get to work straight away by working with Cadillac engineers at the new Silverstone headquarters.
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Perez picked up six F1 victories during his first 14 years in F1 before moving to Red Bull to partner Max Verstappen.
It was there he scooped a further five race wins before a loss of form led to his departure last year.
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Cadillac were believed to have considered seven different drivers before opting against all of them.
And with Cadillac having appointed ex-Manor boss Graeme Lowdon as team principal, they will also work alongside Andretti Autosport.
Colton Herta and Kyle Kirkwood, both drivers from Andretti Autosport's IndyCar stable, were under consideration.
Current series champion Alex Palou and Arrow McLaren's Pato O'Ward were also rumoured to be in contention.
Other names mooted were Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto, as well as Bottas' former Sauber team-mate Zhou Guanyu.
Aston Martin reserve driver Felipe Drugovich and Mercedes' Frederik Vesti were also mentioned alongside F2 star Jak Crawford.
Why have Cadillac decided on Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas?
Dan Towriss, chief executive officer of GM's partner TWG Global, said: "Their experience, leadership and technical acumen are what we need. We're humbled by their belief in us and this project.
"There is a young pool of drivers who are exiting and very talented so it was a tough decision. But it was the leadership of these two drivers that stood out."
Bottas added: "This isn't just a racing project; it's a long-term vision. It's not every day that you get a chance to be part of something being built from the ground up and helping shape it into something that truly belongs on the F1 grid.
"I've had the honour of working with some of the best teams in the world, and I can already see the same professionalism and hunger here.
"This is an iconic brand with a big legacy in American motorsport, and to be a part of the story as it enters the world stage of F1 is incredibly special."
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Meanwhile, Perez said: "From our first conversations, I could sense the passion and determination behind this project.
"To help bring such a fantastic company to F1 is a huge responsibility, one I'm confident of taking on."