While the 2024 season still has two races to go, the conversation is already on about two years in the future after the arrival of Cadillac to F1.
The American brand are set to become the 11th team on the grid in 2026 after General Motors took over the failed Andretti entry and reached an agreement shortly after the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
GM are aiming to make Cadillac a factory team, with their power units not due to be ready until at least 2028. In the meantime, Cadillac are in talks with Ferrari over a potential engine supply deal for when they join the sport.
The team’s arrival marks the first time there will be 22 cars on the grid in 10 years, and speculation has already been rife as to who those two drivers will be.
But while Cadillac have several options available to them, Guenther Steiner is adamant that one current driver on the grid ‘doesn’t want to’ move to the exciting new project in F1.
Guenther Steiner says Yuki Tsunoda ‘doesn’t want to’ join Cadillac in 2026
Mario Andretti wants to have an American driver at Cadillac, with an experienced head to go in the second car.
Colton Herta has been heavily linked with the team given his connections with Andretti in IndyCar. The 24-year-old has previously tested McLaren machinery and failed to obtain a superlicense that denied him joining AlphaTauri in 2023.
READ MORE: All to know about General Motors’ Cadillac F1 team from engine to drivers
Herta would have been partnered with Yuki Tsunoda that season had he got onto the F1 grid. The Japanese driver does fit the criteria for the experienced figure Cadillac want, with his four seasons with Red Bull’s junior team.
But for Steiner, Cadillac is not an option for Tsunoda as the 24-year-old – who is yet to score a podium in his F1 career – is targeting the second seat at Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen.
Discussing Cadillac’s potential options on the Red Flags Podcast, Steiner said: “Wow, wow, wow, who is available for 2026? I think there is Bottas available. I mean I would go with experience if I would be them.
“Bottas, and who else, experienced guy?”
When told that Tsunoda would be available, he replied: “Yeah but Yuki doesn’t want to go there because he will be at Red Bull maybe, so why would he go there? You need to have somebody who’s unemployed otherwise he wouldn’t go there.”
Who could race for Cadillac in 2026?
With Tsunoda likely having his eyes on Red Bull, the Japanese driver may not be an option for Cadillac. But the American team will not be short of drivers to consider for 2026.
Herta is the clear favourite to join the team in 2026 in what would be an exciting signing for Cadillac. However, Herta’s lack of superlicense points may prove to be an issue when they join the grid.
Kevin Magnussen hinted that he is considering joining Cadillac at the Qatar Grand Prix, with the Dane set for a spell on the sidelines in 2025 after his departure from Haas. Magnussen has previous connections to Cadillac after he raced with the team in the IMSA SportsCar Championship in 2021.
Mick Schumacher is another name being mentioned after the German announced his departure from Mercedes to pursue other opportunities. Felipe Drugovich will certainly be an option for Cadillac, given his experience with Aston Martin and connections to the team in endurance racing.
