Cadillac have now decided which driver they ‘will’ sign if they opt for an American racer

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Cadillac is yet to announce who will be driving for them in their maiden F1 campaign next season, and with less than four months left of the current season, time is ticking for the American constructor.

At the moment, there are two names who look to be leading the race for the Cadillac seats: Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas.

Cadillac are closing in on Perez, with the Mexican’s 14 years of experience in F1, including four years at front-runners Red Bull, looking like a very attractive option for the new kids on the block.

Bottas is also an attractive option for Cadillac, for the same reasons. The 35-year-old helped Mercedes secure four consecutive constructors’ championships between 2017 and 2020, serving as the perfect wingman to Lewis Hamilton at the German team.

Mick Schumacher is interested in the reserve role if he fails to secure a full-time drive with them. Schumacher’s past experience as a reserve driver for Mercedes and Ferrari makes him a good option for Cadillac to utilise in various duties at their European base in Silverstone.

READ MORE: All to know about General Motors’ Cadillac F1 team from engine to drivers

Cadillac ‘will’ sign Jak Crawford if they opt to go with an American driver

According to a report by Sky Sports F1, Cadillac have decided that Jak Crawford ‘will’ be one of the two drivers to take the wheel of their first Formula 1 challenger, if they opt to field a driver who races under an American license.

As well as Bottas and Perez, Zhou Guanyu and Aston Martin reserve Felipe Drugovich have also been linked with the vacant seats.

Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon didn’t rule out the possibility of taking an upcoming F2 driver in the team’s maiden campaign, telling Sky Sports F1, “The good thing is we know a lot of the drivers who are out there.

“Both the younger guys who have been coming up through Formula 2 and also the more established drivers who have a lot of Formula 1 experience. We talk to these people all of the time, and we try and spend time in the paddock as well.”

READ MORE: Axed Red Bull talent may receive a ‘golden ticket’ to join Formula 1 grid next year

How is Jak Crawford getting on in Formula 2?

In the midst of his third full season in Formula 2, Crawford currently finds himself second in the championship behind Italian rookie Leonardo Fornaroli. The American has stood atop the podium seven times so far, boasting race wins at Imola, Monaco and Silverstone.

He sits 17 points adrift of the championship leader, and with four rounds and eight races to go, it is still very much up for debate who will be taking the title home with them in Abu Dhabi.

After joining the Red Bull junior team in 2020, Crawford departed the team in 2024. The 20-year-old then signed with the Aston Martin Driver Development Programme that same year. Crawford recently recalled working with Hemlut Marko, highlighting the high expectations of the Austrian in charge of the juniors.

If Cadillac do opt to go down the route of fielding an American driver, Crawford will be the first since Logan Sargeant, who raced for Williams in 2023 and the first half of 2024.