Cadillac’s team principal Graeme Lowdon confirmed an eclectic shortlist of seven candidates vying for what may become the sport’s most coveted new seats.

With the General Motors outfit making its debut in partnership with Andretti Global and TWG, this move expands the F1 grid to 22 cars and gives fresh opportunities to both established names searching for redemption and rising stars seeking a breakthrough.

Among the prominent contenders are Mick Schumacher, whose F1 comeback ambitions have been fueled by a year in the World Endurance Championship with Alpine, and Valtteri Bottas, a ten-time Grand Prix winner whose F1 career has spanned Williams, Mercedes, and Sauber.

Both drivers have held extensive discussions with Cadillac, but Lowdon is clear that the team’s priorities go beyond just offering a stage for personal resurgence. He insists that Cadillac seeks drivers who are motivated foremost by contributing to the team’s growth and not merely those looking to prove a point from past setbacks.

Perez, Prospects, and the Next Generation

The team is equally intent on leveraging experience, as evidenced by talks with Sergio Perez, who is expected to be Cadillac’s first formal signing for 2026. Perez, who parted ways with Red Bull at the end of the 2024 season, brings hundreds of Grands Prix under his belt and a reputation for tire management and opportunistic racecraft.

Reports indicate negotiations with Bottas are also well-advanced, with both drivers appealing for their ability to anchor a new operation during its formative years.

But the field is not exclusive to former F1 stalwarts. Young prospects from Formula 2 such as Felipe Drugovich and Frederik Vesti are seriously being evaluated, alongside Red Bull-backed Arvid Lindblad, signaling Cadillac’s interest in nurturing talent for its medium and long-term ambitions.

While the desire to eventually place an American driver at the heart of the team has been widely acknowledged, regulatory hurdles like superlicence points continue to delay a speedy jump for top IndyCar talents such as Colton Herta, despite his links via Andretti.

A Defining Gamble for Cadillac’s Debut

As the seven-driver shootout unfolds, Cadillac’s leadership remains unwavering about their philosophy: building a squad that blends seasoned F1 know-how with the hunger and adaptability of youth. Although a swathe of experienced pilots underpins their shortlist, the team appears intent on constructing a lineup that reflects both the American spirit of its backers and the relentless demands of contemporary Formula 1.

With final decisions imminent and “significant resources” committed to developing a competitive car and team infrastructure, Cadillac’s entrance stands to shake up not only the pecking order on track but the broader landscape of F1’s driver market.

The next few weeks will reveal whether Cadillac bets on proven stability, bold potential, or a mix that could define their legacy before a single race has even been run.