Cadillac are coming to Formula 1 with General Motors set to run a factory crew in the pinnacle of motorsport from 2026 and may sign two IndyCar drivers as their line-up.
News broke last November that F1 had permitted General Motors to make Cadillac the 11th team on the grid from the 2026 season. GM parting ways with Michael Andretti while taking over the failed Andretti bid with Cadillac a full works team was essential for F1’s green light.
It was not long before IndyCar drivers were linked with moves to F1 with Colton Herta often the number one candidate to sign with Cadillac. Even Mario Andretti confirmed Cadillac are interested in Herta the moment that F1 offered GM its go-ahead to enter the championship.
Andretti IndyCar driver Kyle Kirkwood is a candidate for Cadillac’s F1 team
Herta might not be the only IndyCar driver heading to F1, either, even though Valtteri Bottas has already held talks with Cadillac after leaving Sauber. Sergio Perez is potentially an option for Cadillac, as well, after Red Bull cancelled the Mexican’s contract for the 2025 F1 season.
According to Auto Motor und Sport, Andretti driver Kyle Kirkwood is a candidate to sign with Cadillac for the team’s Formula 1 debut. The 26-year-old is on the list of IndyCar drivers who have caught Cadillac’s eye, having created enthusiasm as a leader within the Andretti stable.
READ MORE: All to know about General Motors’ Cadillac F1 team from engine to drivers
Kirkwood started to emerge as one of Andretti’s lead drivers soon into his first season at the team in 2023 after debuting with AJ Foyt Racing in 2022. It took Kirkwood just three races to win for Andretti at the Grand Prix of Long Beach and he won again later in 2023 at Nashville.
They remain Kirkwood’s only race victories in IndyCar to date after taking a best finish of P2 in 2024 at the Grand Prix of Toronto. Yet Kirkwood still improved his position in the drivers’ standings last season by climbing into P7 with 420 points after P24 in 2022 and P11 in 2023.
Michael Andretti is a big believer in Kyle Kirkwood’s potential in IndyCar
Kirkwood won every junior open-wheel category in America during his rise to IndyCar. It has often been the Florida native’s natural skills that set Kirkwood aside from his rival drivers, as well. Yet the Jupiter-born star has regularly shown he is dedicated to improving his racecraft.
The departure of Michael Andretti from the Cadillac F1 project could go against Kirkwood’s hopes of moving to Formula 1. He was a big advocate for the American’s spot at Andretti in IndyCar whilst CEO of the team and believed the Floridian could win titles, as well as races.
Andretti said after he signed a new contract in September 2023: “Kyle’s dedication and talent have been instrumental in our team’s success this past season, and he has continued to show that he has what it takes to compete at the highest level in the IndyCar Series.
“Our goal has always been to consistently compete for wins and championships and we felt that solidifying Kyle’s future at Andretti was key to making that happen.”
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