As Formula 1 heads to the Qatar Grand Prix, speculation is already rife as to who will drive for Cadillac in 2026.
The American outfit are set to become the 11th team on the grid come the 2026 season after General Motors reached an agreement in principle to join the sport at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Cadillac will effectively take over from Andretti who failed in their bid to join F1 for the 2025 or 2026 season. GM are looking to bring their own power units by at least 2028, with Cadillac currently holding talks with Ferrari over a potential engine supply deal in the meantime.
With there now being two more slots on the grid to fill, rumours have been flying around as to who Cadillac’s first driver pairing will be.
Mario Andretti wants an American driver in one of their cars and an experienced head to go alongside them. And in Qatar, one outgoing F1 driver left a subtle hint about his possible future with Cadillac.
Kevin Magnussen hints at being an option for Cadillac in 2026
Kevin Magnussen will be out of F1 for the third time in his career come the end of the 2024 season. The Dane will leave Haas alongside Nico Hulkenberg as the team prepares for the arrival of Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon.
Now 32 years old, many may see this to be the end of Magnussen’s time in F1. However, Magnussen has stressed his F1 career is not over as he looks to remain in the sport in some capacity.
READ MORE: All to know about General Motors’ Cadillac F1 team from engine to drivers
With no seats available in 2025, the Dane would be available in 2026 and he would provide significant experience to Cadillac if he is chosen to drive for the team. Magnussen already has ties to the brand, having raced with the team in the IMSA SportsCar Championship in 2021.
Quizzed about whether he could drive for Cadillac in F1 in 2026 at a press conference at the Qatar Grand Prix, Magnussen grinned as he replied: “I know the people there, they know me, so you never know.
“I think there are a few options. I will decide in due course.”
Which other drivers could race with Cadillac in 2026?
Magnussen would be a solid option for Cadillac’s experienced driver, but there are others out there for the team to consider. Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu are also on the market after their departures from Sauber.
Colton Herta has been heavily linked with Cadillac given his connections to Andretti. The 24-year-old is one of IndyCar’s top talent, but Gary Anderson thinks Herta makes ‘too many mistakes’ and questions whether he could do a job in F1.
Mick Schumacher is also in the running as he looks for his next opportunity in F1 after his departure from Mercedes. The German would also offer some experience to Cadillac from his time with Haas and his duties as a reserve driver with the Silver Arrows.
Felipe Drugovich should certainly be considered by Cadillac for 2026 as, like Magnussen, the Brazilian also has ties to the team in endurance racing. Furthermore, his experience with Aston Martin will be highly valuable to the team.
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