Cadillac are now ‘talking about’ snubbing Sergio Perez in favour of a brand-new driver their fans would love

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Cadillac have reportedly landed Valtteri Bottas as their first Formula 1 driver. The deal isn’t confirmed, but the consensus is that the Mercedes reserve will fill half of their line-up.

It was suggested on Wednesday that Cadillac could announce Bottas before the Dutch Grand Prix, the first race back after the summer break. Attention will then turn to his teammate.

Sergio Perez has been widely expected to join Cadillac after losing his Red Bull seat at the end of last year. But speaking on the ESPN Fans YouTube channel, Argentine F1 presenter Juan Fossaroli suggested that the matter isn’t settled.

Cadillac ‘sighed’ over claims that they’d already signed Perez, who has won several Grands Prix just like Bottas. That indicates that there’s still hope for the competition.

Jak Crawford still has a chance of landing Cadillac seat

Perez’s camp are worried by Cadillac’s delays, and Fossaroli may have an explanation. It seems that Graeme Lowdon and co. are now ‘talking about’ Jak Crawford.

Crawford, who’s on the books of Aston Martin, entered the summer break second in the F2 standings. It’s his third season in the series, and he’s already bettered his podium tally from the first two (seven in 11 races).

The initial theory was that Lowdon would sign an American driver to represent the brand that was founded in Detroit. Crawford is the only one Cadillac would consider, with IndyCar star Colton Herta falling out of contention.

As Fossaroli points out, it’s a move that would delight the team’s fans and sponsors – even if Perez brings a huge commercial package himself.

“Let’s say Bottas [is guaranteed],” Fossaroli said when it was put to him that the Finn would partner Perez in 2026. “Now they’re talking about Jak Crawford, the driver from the United States who’s in Formula 2.

“With a flagship team like Cadillac in the US, having a rookie driver would be good, as would having an experienced driver like Perez.

“Let’s wait. There are those who have been throwing bombs for months – if they aren’t confirmed, nobody says anything. For now, it’s a great option.”

The three drivers Cadillac have turned down for 2026 F1 season

Based on Fossaroli’s intel, Cadillac recently narrowed their shortlist to three drivers. It could be a Perez/Crawford head-to-head for the second seat.

This decision would be fatal to the F1 ambitions of numerous drivers. Mick Schumacher was confident of joining Cadillac, but he may now have to settle for a reserve role.

Crawford’s fellow Aston Martin back-up Felipe Drugovich has pushed for a Cadillac seat. But the 2022 F2 champion might have to give up on racing at the highest level after another apparent snub.

Cadillac have also rejected Zhou Guanyu, even though Lowdon is his manager. Zhou, Bottas’ former teammate, could stay at Ferrari as reserve driver.