It is the dawn of a new age at Cadillac, as the American brand will undertake its first foray into F1 this year with Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas at the wheel. Expectations are still low for the team, but the competitive fire is, nonetheless, burning brightly. The intrateam battle has already drawn attention, with Bottas reportedly holding an edge over Perez.
What did former Red Bull driver David Coulthard say about Perez?
David Coulthard Names Valtteri Bottas’ Mercedes F1 Background As Key in Battle With Sergio Perez
Bottas and Perez have been around F1 for approximately the same amount of time. They both got their starts near the beginning of the 2010s and went on to establish respectable careers in the sport.
Their paths now finally cross as teammates after more than a decade, as they’re tasked with getting the newcomer, Cadillac, off the ground. They both have the experience to guide the American outfit in the right direction; however, early indications suggest Bottas might already be emerging as the better driver.
Coulthard, who’s been on the F1 scene since the mid-90s, spoke about the team’s driver pairing for the 2026 campaign.
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the two drivers they’ve got,” he said, via This is Formula 1. “It’s not the fastest driver pairing in Formula 1 as established by their career so far, but a safe pair of hands… They don’t need to be breaking cars with rookies. They need to be just getting up to speed with the operation of the team and the new regulations and things like that. So I actually think [Cadillac] made a smart choice.”
🚨| David Coulthard raises concerns for Sergio Perez: ” Bottas is better prepared”
— David Coulthard expressed doubts about Sergio Perez’s readiness for his Formula 1 return with Cadillac, suggesting that Valtteri Bottas is better prepared due to his year as a Mercedes reserve.… pic.twitter.com/W845MaMUIR
— This is Formula 1 (@ThisIsFormu1a1) February 25, 2026
Of the driver pairing, Bottas is naturally better prepared for his run with Cadillac than Perez. Unlike the Mexican, the Finn didn’t sit out last year, as he served as Mercedes’s reserve driver.
“I think Bottas is better prepared because he’s coming with that Mercedes information,” Coulthard explained. “He’s been working with Mercedes all last year, simulator work and the likes… I’m a little bit concerned for Perez, who’s really enjoyed the siesta of a year off. I don’t doubt his commitment, but can you switch it back on when you’ve switched it off?”
However, the F1 veteran highlighted the value of their experience in the sport, saying it’ll go a long way in their professional approach to working for “the greater good” of the team. Coulthard, nonetheless, expects them to battle each other with strong commitment, as they aim to be part of a successful future at Cadilla.
All in all, the former Red Bull man believes “Bottas has a better chance of beating Perez just by the fact [that] he’s more ‘recent.'”
