The Cadillac Formula 1 team, set to join the grid as the 11th team in 2026, is intensifying negotiations to finalize its driver lineup, with Sergio Pérez and Felipe Drugovich emerging as leading candidates, alongside Valtteri Bottas. While no contracts are signed, discussions are well-advanced, with announcements expected around the Italian or Dutch Grand Prix. Backed by General Motors and TWG Motorsports, the team will debut at the Australian Grand Prix in March 2026, powered by Ferrari engines. The driver selection aims to blend experience for car development with emerging talent to attract sponsors. The team plans to test a 2023 Ferrari car in 2025 to prepare for the competitive challenge ahead.
Cadillac’s entry into Formula 1 marks a historic moment, bringing an American team to the sport after decades. With bases in Silverstone, UK, and Fishers, Indiana, the team invested $450 million to secure its grid spot. The strategy prioritizes immediate competitiveness, leveraging experienced drivers to shape the project’s foundation.
Veteran expertise: Pérez and Bottas bring critical technical insight.
Rising stars: Drugovich and others vie for the second seat.
Key tests: 2023 Ferrari car simulations planned for 2025.
Anticipation builds as Cadillac carves its path in global motorsport.
Progress in driver talks
Cadillac is in advanced discussions with Sergio Pérez, formerly of Red Bull, who seeks a Formula 1 return after leaving the team in 2024. With six wins and 39 podiums in 281 races, the Mexican offers experience and commercial appeal, particularly in Latin America. Valtteri Bottas, with 10 wins and 67 podiums in 247 races, is another strong contender, bringing expertise from his Mercedes tenure. Negotiations are nearing key terms, though final contracts await minor details.
Felipe Drugovich, the 2022 Formula 2 champion, is a top candidate for the second seat. The 25-year-old Brazilian has logged over 10,000 kilometers in F1 testing with Aston Martin, showcasing consistency and speed. His prior involvement with Cadillac in endurance racing strengthens his case. The team is also considering prospects like Jak Crawford and Paul Aron, but the focus remains on balancing experience with youth.
The driver announcement is planned for Monza or Zandvoort, capitalizing on the global spotlight. The decision will shape the team’s commercial appeal, with Pérez drawing Latin American brands and Drugovich appealing to South American fans.
Pérez: Six wins and strong marketability in Latin America.
Bottas: Technical expertise with 10 career victories.
Drugovich: Emerging talent with extensive F1 testing experience.
Strategic timing: Monza or Zandvoort for maximum exposure.
Our confirmed driver line up for 2026 featuring 22 seats! 🙌#F1 pic.twitter.com/9QlxooaM6E— Formula 1 (@F1) March 7, 2025
Felipe Drugovich’s path to Cadillac
Felipe Drugovich, hailing from Maringá, Brazil, is a standout prospect for Cadillac’s F1 debut. His 2022 Formula 2 title, secured with five wins and 11 podiums, showcased his dominance. As Aston Martin’s reserve driver, he has completed extensive testing with the AMR21 and AMR23 cars, never damaging a vehicle. His experience with Cadillac in endurance racing, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Daytona, adds to his appeal.
At 25, Drugovich faces competition from talents like Jak Crawford, a 20-year-old American nearing his superlicense, and Paul Aron, tied to Alpine’s junior program. His testing expertise and endurance racing background give him an edge. Cadillac sees Drugovich as a chance to engage South American fans while investing in a driver with long-term potential.
Drugovich’s potential debut would mark a milestone for Brazilian motorsport, which hasn’t had a full-time F1 driver since Felipe Massa in 2017. His selection could galvanize the nation’s racing community.
F2 champion: Dominated 2022 season with five victories.
F1 testing: Over 10,000 kilometers with Aston Martin.
Cadillac ties: Competed in Le Mans and Daytona events.
Rivals: Crawford and Aron compete for the same seat.
Technical strategy for 2026
Cadillac faces the challenge of building a competitive team from scratch, employing 600 staff, including former Team Enstone engineers like Pat Symonds and Nick Chester. The Silverstone base taps into F1’s talent pool, while Fishers handles commercial operations. The team will use Ferrari engines until 2028, when General Motors plans to introduce its own power unit.
Testing a 2023 Ferrari car in late 2025 will be critical for chassis development and team integration. Cadillac aims to score points in its debut season and target podiums by 2029. Experienced drivers like Pérez or Bottas are vital for providing technical feedback during the car’s development phase.
The team’s $450 million investment ensures financial stability, while the Ferrari partnership guarantees early reliability. Cadillac’s infrastructure reflects its ambition to compete at the highest level from the outset.
Technical team: 600 staff, including Symonds and Chester.
2025 testing: Ferrari car simulations to refine chassis.
Clear goals: Points in 2026, podiums by 2029.
Own engine: General Motors power unit planned for 2028.
Paddock buzz and fan reactions
Cadillac’s F1 entry has sparked intense discussions in the paddock. During the British Grand Prix, team representatives were spotted in Silverstone, fueling speculation about driver talks. Social media debates rage over whether Cadillac should prioritize veterans like Pérez or invest in rookies like Drugovich.
A Drugovich Instagram post featuring a Cadillac-branded helmet stirred excitement, though it was tied to a watch brand promotion. The driver announcement, expected at Monza, will influence sponsorship deals, with Pérez attracting Latin American brands and Drugovich boosting Brazilian interest. The team aims to maximize its global debut’s impact.
Cadillac’s driver choices will shape its brand identity and fanbase. The blend of experience and youth could draw a diverse audience and commercial partners.
Fan debates: Veterans versus rookies split opinions.
Silverstone sightings: Strategic meetings with drivers.
Monza announcement: Timed for global visibility.
Sponsorship potential: Latin American and Brazilian markets targeted.
Other candidates and market dynamics
Beyond Pérez, Bottas, and Drugovich, Cadillac evaluated other drivers. Yuki Tsunoda, tied to Red Bull, was considered, but his Honda affiliation, linked to Aston Martin’s 2026 engines, makes his move unlikely. Jack Doohan, Alpine’s reserve, was scouted, but his lack of F1 race experience is a drawback. Zhou Guanyu, formerly of Sauber, faces geopolitical hurdles that could complicate his signing.
Young drivers like Jak Crawford, chasing a superlicense in Formula 2, and Paul Aron, part of Alpine’s program, remain in contention, but Cadillac leans toward experience for its debut. The final decision will balance technical needs, marketability, and long-term strategy.
The driver market remains fluid, with Cadillac’s choices set to influence the 2026 F1 landscape. The team’s decisions will ripple across the sport’s competitive and commercial spheres.
Tsunoda: Honda ties reduce likelihood.
Doohan: Limited F1 experience hinders chances.
Zhou: Geopolitical issues pose challenges.
Crawford: Rising American talent in F2.
Aron: Alpine contract creates obstacles.
