Cadillac have signed Grand Prix winners Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas to be their drivers when they join the Formula 1 grid for the first time in 2026.
    • Coelacanth@feddit.nu
      61·
      22 days ago

      I’m honestly not that excited. I feel like we know where both these drivers are in terms of skill, and both of them have an expiration date coming up that will most likely occur before Cadillac even becomes competitive as a team. There is a minor curiosity in settling the “best nr. 2 driver” argument, but it’s not really enough to get me going.

      I’m still excited for next season, mind you, but not due to these two veterans duking it out at Cadillac.

      • smeg@feddit.ukEnglish
        11·
        22 days ago

        I assume they’re hiring them for their experience over their ability. If you’re starting a brand new team you’re presumably not expecting to hit the ground running so getting a couple of drivers with years of experience to help you develop your car seems like a reasonable strategy.

        • Coelacanth@feddit.nu
          5·
          22 days ago

          Yes of course, I’m not criticising the hiring of them. They’re there to be steady hands and provide feedback as Cadillac gets accustomed to F1 and develops the car and the team. It’s a sound choice, just not super exciting.

          • smeg@feddit.ukEnglish
            2·
            22 days ago

            Oh yeah definitely, nothing really exciting about two safe pairs of hands

      • infeeeee@lemmy.zip
        3·
        22 days ago

        It’s not about the drivers, but about Cadillac. Both drivers are very experienced. Common driver pairing is one rookie driver with a more experienced one, here they choose two older guys who were driving at half the competitors, they can build on what best parctices they saw everywhere. I guess they are not planning a Brawn GP like season, but if it happens, they can deliver that.

  • troed@fedia.io
    13·
    22 days ago

    This will be awesome. Both will be driving to the limit to “show everyone” that they still have it, and in no way were ever just a “#2”.

    I would’ve liked them to sign Palou though just so someone else can get the chance to win in Indycar over the next decade.

    • ohulancutash@feddit.ukEnglish
      3·
      22 days ago

      Palou is being sued by McLaren. He’s radioactive until that’s disposed of. That’s why he’s stuck where he is.

  • N0t_5ure@lemmy.world
    6·
    22 days ago

    This is great! Bottas is a talented driver that I was hoping to see return to the grid, and in view of the performance of the drivers that came after him, I think Perez was unfairly let go for struggling with what was undeniably an extremely difficult car to drive. Both now get a shot at redemption, and Cadillac gets the benefit of their experience to help develop their car. Hopefully the car will be at least somewhat competitive.

  • oakey66@lemmy.world
    5·
    22 days ago

    This is a pretty smart move considering how much expertise and experience these guys bring into the paddock. Cadillac needs to tune their cars to get them in the running and taking two veterans that at one point and time were consistent podium winners is good strategy.

    I’m looking forward to seeing them racing again.

  • engene@lemmy.caEnglish
    3·
    22 days ago

    It’s like they were looking for an all North American team but could not find a Canadian so they settled on the “most-Canadian” driver in a Finn. I like it! 👍🏼