David Croft tells Cadillac who he would ‘love to see’ replace Sergio Perez or Valtteri Bottas

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Cadillac have decided on their two drivers for the 2026 Formula 1 season, and opted for experience over youth.

Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez have scored more points than any other driver who hasn’t won a world championship.

Team principal Graeme Lowdon won’t be expecting either driver to win their first drivers’ championship with Cadillac in the near future, but they’re both very sensible signings.

Bottas hasn’t been released from his Mercedes duties yet, but will soon be working behind the scenes on Cadillac’s simulator and their car development.

His new teammate Perez has been away from the paddock since being dropped by Red Bull, although his reputation has been improved by the struggles of Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda.

However, many people are wondering whether Cadillac should have gone for a younger, more exciting choice.

Sky Sports commentator David Croft has had his say on his dream Cadillac signing in the future.

The timing couldn’t be better, as he’s since been linked with a move to Formula 1 in 2026.

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

David Croft ‘would love’ Cadillac F1 to sign Alex Palou in the future

Alex Palou has just won his fourth IndyCar championship, which has attracted attention from the F1 paddock.

Red Bull have been linked with Palou, although his camp has been quick to distance themselves from those rumours.

Croft was speaking on The F1 Show about Cadillac’s driver choices and said: “You haven’t mentioned Alex Palou, who I think is the driver that they should be sitting down and having a chat with.

“Alex is racing superbly well in IndyCar. If you’ve not followed his season, he is the champion.

“But long term, I’d love to see Alex Palou in Formula 1. I’d love to see him with Cadillac as an American, and a really talented American driver with an American team that means business.

“Not your Scott Speeds with all due respect to Scott Speed, not your Logan Sargeants with all due respect to him and to Williams.

“But with a plan for the future and a driver with the talent to match those aspirations as well, that would be great.

“For the time being, Sergio Perez, as a Mexican, satisfies the North American market as it were. And he’s a very, very good starting point to go on from.

“But to me, Alex Palou for the future. I don’t know, Alex, I don’t know if Formula 1 is his long-term ambition. I hope it is. And I hope I see him on the grid, and I hope I get to commentate on him as well.”

READ MORE: F1 fans are all saying the same thing about Alex Palou after being linked with 2026 Red Bull seat

How have Formula 1 drivers from Spain fared amid Alex Palou links?

Fifteen drivers from Spain have competed in Formula 1, starting with Paco Godia, who finished 10th at his home race in 1951, while Juan Jover did not start the race.

Alfonso do Portago was the first Spaniard to finish on the podium, finishing second at the 1956 British Grand Prix as a shared driver with Peter Collins, but the country had to wait until Luis Perez-Sala, more than 30 years later, for another Spanish driver to score a point.

Pedro de la Rosa started more than 100 races for various teams, while Marc Gene and Jaime Alguersuari made a small impact on Formula 1.

However, it’s Formula 1’s two current Spanish drivers, Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz, who had the biggest impact on the country’s legacy.

Alonso has acted as a mentor for Palou, while his karting and single-seater career has never crossed paths with Sainz.

Spanish drivers are climbing the racing pyramid right now, such as the Red Bull-backed Pepe Marti, but Palou looks like the next ready-made racing star from Spain who could make a significant impact in Formula 1.