Cadillac boss just warned 38-DNF F1 driver he won’t be able to buy his way to a 2026 seat

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Cadillac is set to join the Formula 1 grid from 2026 which means there will be an extra seats up for grabs.

F1 has been limited to just 20 drivers since 2016, but the addition of Cadillac will free up two extra spots on the grid for upcoming or experienced drivers.

Mario Andretti has tipped Cadillac to sign Patricio O’Ward from McLaren, citing his impressive performances in IndyCar over the years.

Cadillac’s arrival could see them bring an American F1 driver back onto the grid, especially as there are three races in the country and it is seen as one of its biggest markets.

Team principal Graeme Lowdon has told Speed City preliminary discussions are already underway with some drivers, although their approach might impact the approach for one driver on the market.

Sergio Perez won’t be able to buy his way into Cadillac seat

Sergio Perez was axed from Red Bull at the end of the 2024 season due to poor results, largely attributed to how difficult their car had become to drive.

In his final three races for Red Bull, Perez failed to finish, adding two DNF’s to his career record of 38 non finishes since he joined the grid in 2011.

Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda are both showing just how hard it is to be the number two driver in that team, but Perez’s form dropped off dramatically throughout two seasons at Red Bull.

He was always considered safe due to the amount of sponsorship he brought to the team through his backing from billionaire Carlos Slim. Perez has also been in touch with Cadillac regarding an F1 comeback, which would be lucrative given marketing opportunities in the Latin America audience.

But Cadillac’s methodology for choosing their drivers might make it harder for him to convince them he was worth taking a chance on.

“We are either planning or have spoken to probably seven or eight drivers altogether. There would be no surprise that anybody who has got recent F1 experience would be included in that list. But I would stress that at the moment any discussions are very preliminary, just really getting to know people’s interest levels and their motivations,” said Lowdon.

When asked if he expects to see another American talent join the grid, Lowdon said: “Everybody would expect an F1 team to have its drivers on merit, and that’s what we’ll do. But as we’ve often said before, nothing can stop that meaning we’ll have one or more drivers from the US at some stage.”

Cadillac in ‘lucky position’ due to mix of experience in the driver market

Several drivers have been tipped for this seat including IndyCar star Colton Herta, who came close to a seat in 2022 had it not been for the FIA’s strict enforcement of the Super Licence rules.

Valtteri Bottas has shown that he is a capable experienced hand, having been key to turning around Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s fortunes in Japan.

Lowdon thinks Cadillac is in a great position considering they were unable to make any moves during the last big driver transfer window.

“We are in a lucky position because there is a bunch of people with a lot of experience, and not just turn up and drive experience. People who’ve been in championship-winning teams, race winners, but also people who are younger and get race experience as well,” said Lowdon.

“Also promising drivers who haven’t yet had Grand Prix experience but have proven themselves in junior formula categories. Considering we weren’t able to be active in the last driver market, we are in a reasonably good position at the moment in terms of putting together a drive lineup for 2026.”

Cadillac would do well to bring in a driver with existing experience to help them on the operational side of things during Grand Prix weekends, while the second seat would likely be best suited to an upcoming rookie.