£737m team could now field two F1 rejects in 2026 as team boss confirms driver line-up plans

Follow us on Google Discover

Halfway through the 2026 F1 season, no announcements have been made regarding the driver market. Those involved may be waiting on a decision from Max Verstappen.

It’s unlikely that Verstappen leaves Red Bull to join Mercedes, but it would of course be seismic. It could make either George Russell or Kimi Antonelli a free agent.

Outside the Red Bull stable, Alpine are the only team with an opening. But even those with two contracted drivers would be attentive to the opportunity.

Newcomers Cadillac have shown little urgency to finalise their line-up. Their priority has been building their car in time for pre-season testing next year, but team boss Graeme Lowdon has now offered a major hint about their plans.

Cadillac must be wary of becoming a home for rejects as Graeme Lowdon rules out signing current driver

Speaking on the High Performance Podcast recently, Lowdon virtually ruled out signing an active F1 driver. Cadillac have been linked with Yuki Tsunoda, but they appear to be shopping in a different market.

“The few who will be out of contract on the current grid, their teams are saying publicly that [they’ll stay],” he said. “It’s primarily the ones that aren’t on the grid at the moment.”

Despite their £737m budget (via The I) and the prestige of their brand, they have been notably unambitious with their driver targets. A report from Bild recently laid out their shortlist.

Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez are the two vastly experienced figures at the top. Both drivers have won Grands Prix, but Bottas lost his Sauber seat at the end of last year, while Perez unravelled so badly at Red Bull that the team had to pay him off.

Bottas was arguably hard done by, but equally, he did finish bottom among full-time drivers last year, and his advantage over Zhou Guanyu (11-8 in the races that both finished) wasn’t as big as it was made out to be.

Fellow Sauber casualty Zhou is also a contender, as is Mick Schumacher, who’s been repeatedly overlooked since Haas let him go at the end of 2022. Recently demoted Alpine driver Jack Doohan is under consideration.

• READ MORE: Cadillac have now added F1 driver who’s never scored a point to their shortlist for 2026

Aston Martin reserve duo Felipe Drugovich and Jak Crawford have been discussed, but Drugovich hasn’t convinced any F1 team since winning the F2 title three years ago, and Crawford doesn’t appear to be attracting extensive interest either.

Graeme Lowdon client is now edging closer to Cadillac F1 seat

There is talent and pedigree on the aforementioned list, but Cadillac must also be wary of the brutal truth. There’s a reason none of those drivers are currently on the F1 grid.

The American manufacturer will almost certainly be the slowest team at the 2026 season opener, increasing the need for drivers who can outperform the car. Any flaws in their recruitment strategy will be exposed.

F1 Oversteer has learned that Zhou is almost certain to land a Cadillac seat. That’s a move that will split opinion after three solid but somewhat underwhelming years at Sauber.

Significantly, Lowdon manages Zhou, and while the Englishman says that won’t sway his decision-making, it will also attract scrutiny if the rumoured signing struggles.