Cadillac now add ‘exceptional’ driver no rival F1 team wants to list of Sergio Perez alternatives

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Cadillac are closing in on signing Valtteri Bottas as their first driver, but the General Motors brand may yet overlook adding Sergio Perez to lead their F1 debut in 2026.

The veteran drivers have regularly led the race to sign with Cadillac since Formula 1 formally confirmed in March that GM had secured a slot on the 2026 grid. But while Bottas is now on course to land his return to F1 with the American crew, Perez may yet have to try elsewhere.

It is expected that Cadillac will confirm the signing of Bottas in the coming days to lead their arrival next term. It is also possible that Cadillac could announce the 35-year-old’s imminent return to the field when the 2025 season resumes at the Dutch Grand Prix on August 29-31.

The GM brand have not ruled out signing an all-veteran line-up to utilise their experience, as next year also brings F1’s 2026 regulations. Yet several drivers still remain in the mix, despite claims that Cadillac could announce the signing of Perez at the Italian GP on September 5-7.

Cadillac are interested in F2 leader Leonardo Fornaroli as an alternative to Sergio Perez

Bottas and Perez are expected to be Cadillac’s line-up for the 2026 F1 season if the General Motors entry opts to sign two experienced drivers. But team principal Graeme Lowdon has yet to make his final decision, with a host of emerging talents also taking Cadillac’s interest.

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

That is according to Autosprint, which reports that Cadillac are even showing an interest in signing 2025 Formula 2 championship leader Leonardo Fornaroli if Lowdon decides against giving both Bottas and Perez their returns to the F1 grid after their departures last season.

Cadillac would have a free run at signing Fornaroli, as the 20-year-old is not signed to any F1 team’s driver academy, despite the Italian also winning the 2024 Formula 3 title. He won the 2024 F3 title for Trident and now tops the 2025 F2 standings for Invicta Racing by 17 points.

But Fornaroli is not the only alternative name to Perez on Lowdon’s shortlist to partner with Bottas next term. Cadillac are monitoring Franco Colapinto’s situation at Alpine, in case they release the Argentine, and they also still hold an interest in Mick Schumacher for a race seat.

Leonardo Fornaroli could follow in the footsteps of Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Oscar Piastri

Cadillac are showing an interest in Fornaroli as an alternative to Perez, as the Italian can be a long-term signing who they can then mould. As next season also sees the start of the 2026 F1 regulations, there will also not be many expectations for Cadillac to secure regular points.

As next season is almost a free hit, Cadillac do not necessarily need two experienced drivers. And, despite no F1 team having ties to Fornaroli, there may not be a better emerging talent for Cadillac to capture if the team decides to partner Bottas with a rising talent next season.

Invicta Racing CEO and team principal James Robinson “cannot understand” why Fornaroli is not signed to an F1 team, as the Italian is “exceptional” at developing the set-up of their car. Robinson also claims that Fornaroli’s consistency would make him the “deal of the century”.

Fornaroli could even follow in the footsteps of Charles Leclerc, George Russell, Oscar Piastri and Gabriel Bortoleto by winning the 2025 F2 title in his rookie campaign after winning the 2024 F3 title. Leclerc and Russell won the third-tier title while it was named the GP3 Series.