F1 Oversteer understands that Cadillac are considering a move for Mercedes reserve Frederik Vesti as they look to secure their driver line-up ahead of their debut Formula 1 season in 2026.
Cadillac will become the 11th team in the Formula 1 paddock when they arrive at the Grand Prix of the season in 2026.
During the Miami Grand Prix, Cadillac officially launched their Formula 1 brand, but still don’t have a driver signed up for next year.
F1 Oversteer believes that Frederik Vesti is one option Cadillac are looking at among a dozen different drivers.
However, it’s understood that Sergio Perez is their number one target, and Cadillac are pushing hard to bring in the Mexican driver.
Mick Schumacher is also on Cadillac’s radar as he seeks a way back into Formula 1 after being dropped by Haas at the end of the 2022 season.
Cadillac chiefs have been coy about their pursuit of Perez after he lost his Red Bull seat last year, and while Vesti isn’t the highest profile name, he’s got plenty of experience from his time working with Mercedes about how a top Formula 1 team should perform.
READ MORE: All to know about General Motors’ Cadillac F1 team from engine to drivers
Cadillac considering signing Frederik Vesti for the 2026 Formula 1 season alongside Sergio Perez
Vesti is a 23-year-old Danish driver who is currently racing for Cadillac in the IMSA SportsCar Championship this year.
He also took part in FP1 in Bahrain, where team principal Toto Wolff praised him on the team radio for his ‘excellent job’.
Vesti was previously linked with Williams when Logan Sargeant was dropped, but his stellar record in Formula 3 and Formula 2 has never been enough to earn him an F1 race seat, and Mercedes overlooked him for Andrea Kimi Antonelli when Lewis Hamilton decided to join Ferrari.
| YEAR | SERIES | TEAM | WINS | POSITION |
| 2020 | Formula 3 | Prema | 3 | 4th |
| 2021 | Formula 3 | ART Grand Prix | 1 | 4th |
| 2022 | Formula 2 | ART Grand Prix | 1 | 9th |
| 2023 | Formula 2 | Prema | 6 | 2nd |
| 2024 | European Le Mans | Cool Racing | 0 | 9th |
| 2025 | IMSA SportsCar Championship | Cadillac | 0 | 6th* |
Vesti, writing on his own website after the session in Bahrain, explained the difficult situation he’s in when it comes to earning an F1 seat and said, “If I’m going to impress people, I shouldn’t do it when all the contracts are signed at the end of the season.
“That’s why it meant everything to me to get in the game so early in the year. My practice session was noticed and commented on by many.
“It can be used to kick some doors a little harder and stay on people’s radar. I also hope to get a lot of test kilometres in my legs in the two-year-old F1 car that the teams are allowed to use for testing (TPC) during the year.
“In two years I have driven approx. 300 km in an F1 car. That corresponds to what many of my competitors who test are covering as a minimum in a single day.”
READ MORE: Who is Frederik Vesti? The Mercedes reserve driver’s age, nationality, stats and more
Ralf Schumacher comments on Mick Schumacher’s return amid Cadillac F1 interest
Schumacher has far more experience than Vesti in Formula 1 and a much bigger profile in the United States which is an important factor in Cadillac’s decision-making process.
Ralf Schumacher, speaking on Sky Sports Germany about his nephew’s chances of a return said, “Basically, he’s a driver who has been in Formula 1 and has experience, but also handled situations well.
“He didn’t have an easy time in Formula 1, but things worked out really well in the end.
“Now the transition to the WEC, where things are also working out very well, which is important.
“You need a driver with whom you can build something, who doesn’t crash, and who is a team player.”
Vesti has the perfect opportunity to impress Cadillac in IMSA this year, and he’ll be hoping Wolff can have a word with Graeme Lowdon over the vacant seat.
Mercedes previously helped Esteban Ocon and George Russell start their F1 careers at Manor and Williams respectively.
Vesti could be the latest driver to follow in their footsteps.
