The Ringer F1 Show Cadillac Confirms Pérez and Bottas, Plus Ranking All the Teams for 2026 With Luke Smith
38 snips
Aug 26, 2025 Megan is joined by Luke Smith, The Athletic's F1 writer, to dive into the exciting confirmations of Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas joining Team Cadillac for the 2026 season. They discuss Cadillac's ambitions, the importance of experience in F1, and the contrasting personalities of their new drivers. Luke and Megan then rank teams like Mercedes and Ferrari, analyzing their challenges and potential. Insights into the dynamics of top teams and emerging competitors round out the conversation, highlighting the evolving landscape of Formula 1.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Veteran Pairing To Fast-Track Cadillac
- Cadillac signed Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas to fast-track experience for their new F1 entry.
- Luke Smith and Megan describe the pairing as sensible and vibe-positive for a startup team.
Startups Must Prioritize Foundation Over Wins
- New F1 teams should set realistic expectations and prioritize learning over instant results.
- Luke Smith predicts Cadillac's initial competitiveness will likely be low but valuable for long-term growth.
Cadillac's Long-Term American Ambition
- Cadillac intends to develop an American pipeline but will prioritize driver merit.
- The team plans US-built engines and a Fishers, Indiana HQ before prioritizing American drivers.
