Cadillac are in the market for their first two drivers in Formula 1 when they join the grid in 2026.
The American brand will become the sport’s 11th team next season in time for the new technical regulations in 2016. Cadillac’s arrival marks the first time F1 has had 22 drivers on the grid since 2016.
Backed by General Motors after they took over the failed Andretti bid, F1’s newest team will run with Ferrari power units until they bring their own engine in the next two to three seasons.
Cadillac’s rivals think they have a ‘small head start’ when they arrive in F1. That is because they can focus all of their budget and attention on the new regulations, whereas the current teams must work on their 2026 car and fine-tune their 2025 challengers simultaneously.
While that may be a slight advantage, Cadillac will realistically be fighting to score points in their debut season – and they will need the right drivers to do that.
The general idea is that the team want an experienced F1 driver to go alongside a young American talent – Logan Sargeant was the last US-born driver to race in F1 before his dismissal from Williams in 2024. However, Mario Andretti says Cadillac are keeping their options open and could make interesting moves.
Mario Andretti says Cadillac could ‘fight pretty hard’ to sign Pato O’Ward from McLaren
Given the team’s ties to Andretti, Cadillac have been linked with several talents in IndyCar. Daniel Juncadella has urged Cadillac to sign Alex Palou – the three-time champion has tested F1 machinery with McLaren in the past.
Colton Herta has been heavily linked with the team and is considered by many as the favourite to race for Cadillac in 2026. The issue for the American is obtaining a superlicense – whether that be not having enough points or mileage in F1 cars.
Mexican talent Pato O’Ward could also be an option. The McLaren driver has regularly tested for the Woking-based outfit in FP1 sessions and will be a favourite for the IndyCar title in 2025.
Speaking with ESPN, Mario Andretti sees O’Ward as a ‘tremendous’ talent and says Cadillac could ‘fight pretty hard’ to sign him from McLaren – Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri prevent the Mexican from having a seat until at least 2028.
Asked whether he is an option for 2026, Andretti said: “Of course. I mean, he has tremendous talent, he has shown that.
“Of course, we would have to fight pretty hard with McLaren, at the moment he’s under their contract. So yeah, you have to keep your options open when they come.
“Right now, he has the full experience. He’s been in IndyCar long enough now to know the superspeedway, short oval, street courses, national road courses, he has the experience for all of it.
“And he’s been, you can see, competitive everywhere. He’s with a good team no question and [he has] his opportunity to win almost every race he enters, quite honestly.”
READ MORE: All to know about General Motors’ Cadillac F1 team from engine to drivers
What other options do Cadillac have for 2026?
Besides drivers from IndyCar, Cadillac are looking at the F1 driver market for experienced drivers. Valtteri Bottas has ‘already been talking’ to Graeme Lowdon – the team’s boss – over a deal for 2026.
The Finn is serving as Mercedes’ reserve driver in 2025 and is eyeing a full-time return next season. Bottas is ‘waiting’ for Cadillac to make a decision – his test outings with McLaren could help his case as he is still firmly in the F1 paddock.
Of course, the American team have several other options. Sergio Perez’s sponsors have been speaking to Cadillac to get him back to F1 – it would be a lucrative signing given his commercial value and six race wins with Racing Point and Red Bull.
F2 talent Jak Crawford is ‘100% ready for a move to Cadillac if he is given the opportunity. Aston Martin likely do not have a seat for the American in 2026 – a solid season in F2 could open the door for a move to F1’s 11th team.
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