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

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Cadillac have been relaxed in their pursuit of two drivers for their maiden Formula 1 season. They know they’re entering the sport at a good time.

The US manufacturer are out of sync with the F1 driver market after most of the teams locked in two drivers on multi-year deals in 2024. Red Bull may be forced to look for options if Max Verstappen leaves, but they wouldn’t be shopping in the same pool.

Alpine have held talks with Valtteri Bottas recently as they consider potential replacements for the underperforming Franco Colapinto. Bottas is a strong contender for Cadillac too.

That could potentially spur them into action, but the backup options are plentiful if they do lose out. Indeed, Cadillac could also sign Sergio Perez to fill the veteran role, and then pair him with a high-potential youngster.

Cadillac are interested in signing Jack Doohan from Alpine for 2026

A report from Bild reveals the names on Cadillac’s shortlist. Bottas and Perez feature, as does the former Haas driver Mick Schumacher.

American F2 ace Jak Crawford is under consideration, along with ex-Sauber man Zhou Guanyu and Aston Martin reserve Felipe Drugovich. But a new name has now appeared – Jack Doohan.

Alpine demoted Doohan just six races into the 2025 season, effectively swapping him with Colapinto. He may have to look elsewhere if he wants to revive his F1 career.

Cadillac are weighing up whether to take a chance on the Australian, who finished a commendable third in his final Formula 2 season and arguably wasn’t given a fair shot at the highest level.

Have Alpine now realised that they made a mistake with Jack Doohan?

Doohan didn’t score a point in any of his seven outings for Alpine (he also drove at the 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi), but the car wasn’t quick enough at most of those races. Indeed, highly-rated teammate Pierre Gasly only posted two top-10 finishes in that window.

Mick Doohan compared his son’s results to Gasly on social media after the announcement. The team have since fallen to the bottom of the constructors’, with Colapinto failing to deliver a notable improvement.

The Argentine has just about survived beyond his initial five-race contract. Alpine have realised they need to focus on their car rather than laying the blame with their drivers.

The talks over Bottas indicate that they’re unlikely to give Doohan another chance even if they do make a change. Cadillac could feasibly take two drivers who have been dropped by their F1 rivals in the last year.