Cadillac will officially join Formula 1 as the 11th team in 2026, backed by General Motors and entering under sweeping new technical regulations. The American marque has already recruited key technical figures, including former F1 Chief Technical Officer Pat Symonds and ex-Renault designer Nick Chester as Technical Director.
Driver Line-Up Strategy: Experience Meets American Talent
While Cadillac has yet to confirm its driver line-up, 1978 F1 champion Mario Andretti, who is advising the project, has shed light on the team’s strategy. According to Andretti, the plan is to pair an experienced driver with a young American talent, with IndyCar star Colton Herta emerging as a top contender.
🗣️ “From our standpoint, I think the play at the beginning would be to have one experienced driver – nationality doesn’t matter – and then a young American talent. These are the objectives at the moment.”
Bottas, Zhou, and Perez in the Mix?
Both Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, who lost their seats at Sauber, have been linked to Cadillac and have landed reserve roles at Mercedes and Ferrari, respectively. However, Guenther Steiner, the former Haas team principal, believes the American outfit should target Sergio Perez.
Steiner insists that despite Perez’s struggles at Red Bull, his experience as a six-time Grand Prix winner could be invaluable in helping Cadillac transition into F1.
🗣️ “If you’re Cadillac, you need somebody experienced. Checo has been in quite a few teams for a long time. He knows his way around. He could be a big help.”
Would Perez Be the Right Fit?
Steiner suggests that Perez’s skill set is best suited to an underdog role, where expectations are lower and pressure is reduced. He highlights Perez’s past performances at Force India and Racing Point, where he consistently overdelivered in midfield battles.
🗣️ “Checo was very good when he was at Force India, Racing Point. He always overdelivered as an underdog. He couldn’t keep up with the pressure of a top team.”
Steiner believes a one-year deal for Perez could provide Cadillac with an experienced lead driver while allowing Perez to reset his confidence away from Red Bull’s high-pressure environment.
Cadillac’s F1 Future: What’s Next?
With its official entry locked in for 2026, Cadillac is rapidly shaping up to be a serious contender in the F1 paddock. As the team finalizes its driver lineup, securing the right blend of experience and fresh talent will be key to a successful debut season.
Would Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas, or Colton Herta be the right choices for Cadillac’s ambitious F1 project? The decision in the coming months could define the team’s trajectory for years to come.