After months of obtaining approvals and meeting requirements, it is now official: 11 teams will compete in Formula 1 from 2026. The new addition to the grid will be the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, backed by TGW Motorsports and General Motors. That means two more spots are available for the hundreds of hopeful racing drivers. Who will end up filling them? Will it be someone Formula 1 fans already know and love, or a new, unfamiliar name?
Cadillac has strong connections to North America and Mario Andretti, a Formula 1 Drivers’ Champion of 1978. Because of that, many people speculate that the team will want to sign someone known by the U.S. audiences. The main candidate seems to be Colton Herta, an American racing driver who competes in the IndyCar series, under the banner of Andretti Global. He has spoken about being interested in trying his strength in Formula 1, but isn’t certain if the move would be beneficial for his career. It remains to be seen if he could leave his strong IndyCar team and leap into the unknown with a complete newcomer.
Herta isn’t the only IndyCar driver linked with the empty seats. There is also Alex Palou, another household name in the American racing series, driving for Chip Ganassi Racing. Formula 1 isn’t a new topic when it comes to his career, but the conditions were never in his favour. Although he has admitted that he stopped thinking about the series as a next step in his racing career, the arrival of Cadillac shifted the conversation.
A new team presents the perfect opportunity for one of the experienced drivers who found themselves without a seat to rejoin the sport. After all, who can lead a team to success better than someone who has been in Formula 1 for years?
Valtteri Bottas’ name is often mentioned in talks related to Cadillac. Having finished his time with Kick Sauber, he is currently a reserve driver for Mercedes. He has openly stated that he wants to go back to being a full-time driver in 2026. With years of experience and his 10 Grand Prix wins, he could be a great choice for the rookie team.
Aside from Bottas, two drivers who used to belong to the Red Bull family are viable options. Both Daniel Ricciardo and Sergio Perez have been let go by their teams before the start of 2025, and found themselves without a seat for this season. With their undeniable skill and insight, they could help Cadillac rise in the world of Formula 1.
Of course, there are many other options, starting with some of the younger drivers Formula 1 fans know from Sunday’s races. One of them is Zhou Guanyu, who recently became Ferrari’s reserve driver, but would certainly love to go back to being a full-time driver. The other is Yuki Tsunoda, a man who has been stuck in Red Bull’s junior team since 2021. He had hoped to be promoted to the main team for 2025, but the spot went to Liam Lawson. Without the possibility to grow in the Red Bull family, he could be convinced to take a leap of faith and join Cadillac.
There is also a chance that Cadillac will do what so many other teams have, and look for a rookie driver to develop into their number one. After all, Formula 2 and Formula 3 are filled with promising talents, who would jump at the opportunity to participate in the pinnacle of motorsport.
No matter which route the team chooses to take, it will be fiercely watched by everyone, fans, drivers, and teams alike. The decision they are about to make could decide their future in Formula 1.
If you love sports, download Stadium Rant from the Apple App Store and join one of the fastest-growing social sports communities. Be sure to follow us on socials too — you can find all our profiles on our Linktree.
