Graeme Lowdon, the head of Cadillac’s Formula 1 team, has confirmed that the selection of the squad’s debut drivers will be strictly based on merit. This decision comes in the wake of the recent approval of Cadillac’s bid to enter the prestigious motor racing competition as the 11th team in 2026, a year that also marks the introduction of significant new rules in the sport.
The General Motors-supported team has been gearing up for this moment since expressing initial interest to enter the competition in 2023 under the Andretti banner. However, the process was impeded as the team was not granted permission to engage in official discussions with potential drivers until the approval of their entry by the FIA and F1.
Despite the timing, Lowdon remains optimistic about securing a strong driver pairing. He acknowledges the challenge of entering the driver market later than other teams and the fact that many drivers have already committed to teams in anticipation of the upcoming regulation changes. Nevertheless, he asserts that there are numerous viable options for Cadillac both within and outside the F1 arena.
Lowdon confirmed, “We will undoubtedly select based on merit. Formula 1 is not a playground; it is the apex of world motorsport.” He believes that while their recruitment timeline differs from the norm, there are several candidates with impressive credentials who could either join F1 for the first time or make a triumphant return.
Among the experienced F1 drivers currently available are Valtteri Bottas, Guanyu Zhou, and Sergio Perez. Lowdon, who is part of Zhou’s management team, praised the Ferrari reserve driver’s performance under challenging circumstances. However, he was quick to clarify that his personal relationship with Zhou would not influence the selection process.
Lowdon emphasized the importance of drivers who could contribute to the overall program and confirmed that potential candidates would undergo thorough checks and balances to avoid any bias. He reiterated, “We’re here to do a job, so we’ll select drivers on merit. There are some really good ones out there, Zhou included.”
The team’s advisor, Mario Andretti, expressed interest in pairing a seasoned F1 driver with an emerging American talent. Lowdon agreed that this was a plausible scenario, but he cautioned that an American driver would not be favored over a more suitable candidate based solely on their nationality.
Colton Herta, a promising American driver, is reportedly on the shortlist. However, his participation hinges on him earning the necessary points for an FIA superlicense. Lowdon acknowledged the potential hurdle, stating, “We can’t choose a driver that doesn’t have the points. That’s a regulation we must respect.”
In sum, Cadillac’s F1 team is primed for an exciting debut driven by merit-based selection, a commitment to the overall program, and respect for regulations. As Lowdon confidently concludes, “Just because someone’s American doesn’t mean that they can’t be a good Formula 1 driver.”
