Cadillac has finally confirmed their entry onto the F1 grid. For the first time since 2016, the sport will have an 11th team.
The American brand has had their bid approved by the FIA and F1 and will be on the grid next season. It marked a huge u-turn from F1 after they rejected Andretti from joining the sport on commercial grounds.
General Motors took over the bid wanting to find a way to get onto the grid. Now,w, they have achieved it with Cadillac.
The American team will use Andretti’s newly built facilities at Silverstone to house their power unit. Cadillac will run with Ferrari engines for the first few years in F1 before bringing their own engine in 2030 – they had previously stated it would be ready by 2028.
Cadillac has a ‘small head start’ going into 2026 as they can focus their full attention on next year. Meanwhile, their rivals will have to work on improving their 2025 car whilst also developing next year’s machine for the new regulations.
With their entry confirmed, the question now is who will join the team and become their first two drivers in F1. Many fans believe one driver is returning to the sport with the team.
F1 fans welcome back Sergio Perez after Cadillac confirm 2026 entry
Sergio Perez has been heavily linked with Cadillac since leaving Red Bull at the end of last season. The six-win F1 driver was sacked by the team after finishing eighth in the championship, with his poor form costing Red Bull in the constructors’ championship.
The 35-year-old is eyeing a return to the sport and provides great commercial value with his sponsorships and fanbase in North America. Sergio Perez’s representatives want him to join Cadillac for the 2026 season – and many fans believe he is back on the grid next year.
Writing in the comments of Cadillac’s announcement on X (formerly Twitter), fans welcomed Perez back to F1 as they think he will be one of their drivers.
One fan said: “Welcome back Sergio Perez,” while another echoed the same feelings by writing: “Cadillac and Checo Perez!”
A Mexican fan wrote: “Regresa Checo Perez,” meaning ‘Checo Perez returns’ in Spanish. Another user called for the 11th team in F1 to sign the driver with the appropriate race number: “Aight, now sign the driver with the number 11.”
One fan same the same thing with the driver number as they called for Cadillac to make the deal a reality: “11th Team with the #11 driver… @SChecoPerez. Make it happen!”
Finally, another fan called for Cadillac to reunite Perez with Daniel Riccardo after he lost his Racing Bulls seat in 2024: “Get Checo and Ricciardo.”
Who else could drive for Cadillac in 2026?
Perez stands as a strong candidate for Cadillac to take one of their seats next season. Naturally, the American team have several drivers to choose from.
Zhou Guanyu says his ‘goal’ is to return with Cadillac after losing his seat at Sauber. The Chinese driver has strong connections to Cadillac given he will be Ferrari’s reserve driver in 2025 and has Graeme Lowdon – Cadillac’s team principal – as part of his management.
Colton Herta has been heavily linked with the team. The American driver has connections through Andretti in IndyCar and has been touted to join F1 for the last few years.
Andrea Stella has been blown away by Herta in private testing in the past – Cadillac is the IndyCar star’s best chance to make it to the F1 grid.
