By Luke Pons
So, just who will race for the Cadillac F1 Team in 2026?
Cadillac’s long-anticipated entry into Formula 1 is scheduled for 2026, marking a significant milestone as the American automaker joins the grid with the backing of General Motors and the operational leadership of former Marussia F1 team principal Graeme Lowdon. While the team has yet to unveil its car or branding, much of the speculation surrounding its debut has focused on one question: who will drive for them?
With at least two seats available and a clean slate to build from, Cadillac has drawn serious interest from a mix of veteran race winners, promising young talents, and North American fan favourites. As the team narrows down its shortlist, one name in particular has emerged as the clear frontrunner former Red Bull star Sergio Pérez. And with recent endorsements from top figures in the sport, including Max Verstappen, the race to finalize Cadillac’s 2026 driver lineup is quickly intensifying.
One of the standout candidates is Sergio Pérez. Having raced with Red Bull from 2021 through 2024, he amassed six Grand Prix victories and finished as runner-up in the 2023 Drivers’ Championship. Although he left Red Bull at the end of the 2024 season, he remains among the elite free agents, with Cadillac reportedly among the teams in advanced talks. Insider reports even suggest he may soon be confirmed as their lead
Adding considerable weight to Pérez’s candidacy, four-time world champion Max Verstappen, his former Red Bull teammate, recently offered a full-throated endorsement of his return to F1 via Cadillac. Verstappen commented, “He’s a strong option for them. Checo has always been very solid… as long as he is motivated to drive, then I think that is absolutely… a good choice.” He also highlighted Pérez’s consistency across his career, noting, “If you look at how Checo drove at Force India, Racing Point… he always picked up the points anyway.”
Verstappen’s praise reinforces Pérez’s technical skill and reliability qualities Cadillac will value in establishing a competitive foundation.
Another strong contender for the second seat is Valtteri Bottas, the former Mercedes driver with ten F1 wins. Bottas stepped back from a full-time race seat at the end of 2024 and is now serving as a Mercedes reserve for 2025. Known for delivering precise technical feedback and consistently scoring points, he is in active discussions with Cadillac and remains a highly likely pick.
Mick Schumacher continues to be part of the conversation. A former Haas driver and current World Endurance Championship competitor, Schumacher has maintained “very positive” dialogue with Cadillac. Lowdon has acknowledged his potential fit within the team’s long-term planning.
Additionally, Cadillac is reviewing a broader talent pool that includes rising and reserve drivers such as Colton Herta, Zhou Guanyu, Felipe Drugovich, Jak Crawford, Frederik Vesti, and Paul Aron. While Herta’s inclusion hinges on securing enough FIA Super Licence points, these candidates demonstrate Cadillac’s commitment to a merit-based and performance-driven driver selection lineup.
Likely Driver Pairings
Industry expectations and media chatter point toward a front-running combination of Pérez and Bottas. Pérez brings race-winning pedigree and internal endorsements, while Bottas offers stability and technical expertise. However, alternative pairings such as Pérez and Schumacher or Bottas and Herta remain plausible depending on final evaluations of licence eligibility, commercial appeal, and long-term strategy.
What to Watch Next
Cadillac is expected to unveil its driver lineup before the end of the 2025 season, likely in conjunction with its official team launch or one of the remaining high-profile events on the F1 calendar. Given the commercial and sporting significance of their debut, the team is expected to time its announcement strategically to maximize visibility and impact.
In summary, Sergio Pérez is now the clear favourite for Cadillac’s lead seat. Bottas remains the most likely second driver, though alternative candidates like Schumacher and Herta could alter the scenario. As Cadillac gears up for a historic debut, their choices align with a balanced strategy of experience, technical capability, and market positioning.
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