Cadillac’s F1 journey begins in 2026 – Which drivers could join the American Giant on the grid for their debut season

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Mar 8, 2025, 13:38 IST

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

Formula 1 will welcome Cadillac as a new US competitor in 2026, with General Motors' support. The team aims to use established drivers and fresh talent for a strong debut. Cadillac will initially use Ferrari's power unit but plans to become a self-sufficient works team by 2030. All eyes are on Cadillac as it prepares for this exciting challenge.

Cadillac’s F1 journey begins in 2026 – Which drivers could join the American Giant on the grid for their debut season

Credit: Getty Images

Formula 1 will gain a new US competitor in 2026 when General Motors-owned Cadillac takes up its place on the starting grid. The news is a welcome boost to the sport, and rumors are already rampant as to who will represent the team during its first season.
With a mix of experience and fresh talent up for grabs, here are some names that are under many people's speculations who could make a perfect fit for Cadillac’s ambitious F1 project.

Possible motivators for Cadillac F1's 2026 launch

Valtteri Bottas: Valtteri Bottas, with his long F1 experience and spells at leading teams such as Mercedes and Sauber, would be a priceless asset. He understands what it takes to build a competitive car and provide stability to a new operation. Bottas’ ability to guide a developing team while providing reliable performances on race day makes him an attractive choice. Rumours have already linked him to discussions with Cadillac, making him a strong candidate for a leadership role in the team’s debut season.
Jak Crawford: With Cadillac being the face of American motorsport heritage, signing a homegrown talent would be a shrewd move. Jak Crawford has been consistently making his way up the motorsport ranks, having been in both Red Bull and Aston Martin's junior programs. His experience with F1 machinery and team dynamics makes him an intriguing young talent. Although his experience is limited at this point, having an American driver join an American team would create a ton of fanfare. If Cadillac is looking to make a difference on and off the track, Crawford might just be the guy.
Colton Herta: The young Californian driver has been so close to the Formula 1 world for years, but a shortage of super license points has kept him from making his international open-wheel aspirations a reality. But Cadillac F1's potential 2026 entry date allows Herta to actively seek super license points if he wants to join the team. Entries in Formula Regional championships combined with some FP1 appearances and a spotless IndyCar season could easily make Herta a contender.
Pato O'Ward: Pato O'Ward jumped back into IndyCar, where his phenomenal speed has seen him claim seven victories, 26 podiums, and numerous close calls at major events such as the Indy 500. Since joining forces with McLaren in 2020, O'Ward has participated in a few FP1 sessions and has improved steadily. And his existing relationships with Chevrolet mean he has an open line to GM to plead his case.
Franco Colapinto: Although we can hold onto hope that 2026 will see him earn a seat, a lot of existing F1 teams have pre-booked their drivers on multi-year contracts. And that might leave a top spot empty for Colapinto at Cadillac.

Cadillac confirms for F1 2026 with GM's support

Cadillac's Formula 1 debut follows months of talks and changes in strategy. The team was first mooted under the Andretti brand but is now officially sanctioned as an independent operation with General Motors at the helm. The US manufacturer has signed an agreement with TWG Motorsports, cementing its intentions to be in F1's new era.
For its initial seasons, Cadillac will be competing against a Ferrari customer power unit but will move into a self-sufficient works team by 2030.
Also read: Cadillac's F1 dream becomes reality: Officially approved to join the grid as 11th team in 2026

What comes next for Cadillac F1?

With its grid position confirmed, Cadillac is now under pressure to make key choices, such as rounding out its driver squad. As the hype continues to build, everyone will be watching the clock tick down on Cadillac's preparations to face off in the Formula 1 world of 2026.

About the Author

TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

End of Article