‘Incredible’ ex-F1 driver could now become Cadillac’s reserve behind Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas

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Cadillac appear increasingly likely to sign Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas for their Formula 1 debut in 2026. Combined, the pair boast well over 500 Grand Prix starts and 16 victories.

It was reported before the summer break that Cadillac had chosen Perez and Bottas after a lengthy deliberation process. Both are available after losing their seats at the end of last year.

A subsequent update on Tuesday indicated that Cadillac are closing in on Perez and could make an announcement shortly after the summer break. Talk of a move to Alpine has faded.

Also floated as a target for the Enstone outfit, Bottas is ‘guaranteed’ to race for Cadillac instead. It’s a tough blow for the rest of the names on the shortlist, many of whom knew this was their last chance.

Mick Schumacher may now be ‘aiming’ for Cadillac reserve driver role

It is worth noting that both of the mooted Cadillac drivers will be 36 when they line up on the Australian Grand Prix grid. On that basis, it’s conceivable that they only sign one contract apiece.

Thus, there could be a long-term opening for a younger driver, particularly if he’s already part of the set-up. And this may be Mick Schumacher’s plan.

Cadillac are fans of Schumacher – team principal Graeme Lowdon has said as much in public – but it may be too risky to sign him straight away given that he lost his Haas seat at the end of 2022 and hasn’t raced in F1 since.

According to Auto Motor und Sport, Schumacher may now be ‘aiming’ for the reserve role at Lowdon’s team. ‘Sources’ in France suggest he’s eyeing a Jota Cadillac drive in the World Endurance Championship with the ‘predominant motive’ of entering their F1 set-up.

Schumacher would leave Alpine and replace former F1 world champion Jenson Button. He could potentially fulfil a dual role, as he did for the Enstone outfit and Mercedes last year.

Sebastian Vettel once revealed the side of Mick Schumacher that F1 fans didn’t see

Schumacher tried to hide from the press at the Cadillac launch party back in May, which suggests he’s been in talks for a while. He’s always appeared an outsider in the pursuit of a full-time seat, though.

A graduate of the Ferrari academy and a Formula 2 champion, Schumacher comfortably outperformed fellow rookie Nikita Mazepin in his rookie season, but Haas were too slow to contend for points.

The following year, he couldn’t match the far more experienced Kevin Magnussen, which saw his stock fall quickly. But close friend Sebastian Vettel told the sport’s official website that there was a side of Schumacher that fans didn’t see.

Vettel said the ‘incredible’ Schumacher was always one of the first to enter the paddock and one of the last to leave. And that made him the kind of figure who gives ‘a huge lift to the entire team’.