Before this season began, all eyes were on Cadillac to be the most active team in the market. On paper, only the American team had two vacancies to fill before 2026.
In almost traditional F1 fashion, the driver market did not go according to script – with Red Bull and Alpine both implementing mid-season swaps.
The aftermath of these moves, involving Tsunoda and Lawson at Red Bull, Colapinto and Doohan at Alpine, is still unfolding.
Still, these surprise changes have not changed Cadillac’s activities, as they prepare for their F1 debut.
At least three drivers are currently in talks with the US team, although new candidates could enter the race as 2025 unfolds.
Cadillac reveal “somewhat limited” options for 2026 F1 lineup
Last year’s driver market, kick-started by Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, was one of the most chaotic in recent memory.
Only McLaren and Aston Martin started this year with the same driver line-up in 2025.
As a consequence of this, several drivers lost their seats – pushing them to the sidelines and out of the grid.
This gives Cadillac a handful of choices to select from, who they have been negotiating with in recent months.
When discussing the team’s contract talks, Mario Andretti was asked specifically if Sergio Perez is under consideration.
The 1978 F1 Champion gave a candid response:
“All I can tell you is that he’s certainly one of the drivers that’s being considered.
“He has to be,” Andretti affirmed to Fox Sports.
“I cannot divulge as to where we are with any commitment whatsoever.
“I think we want to keep that luxury to ourselves, until we feel that we have scanned the entire spectrum of availability – I think that’s a prudent thing to do.
“The choice is somewhat limited – let’s face it, a lot of the great talents are already under contract.
“Fortunately still there are a few out there – three or four, I’ll say maybe three — that certainly deserve consideration, and all of this is being looked upon very seriously.
“There are some conversations going on somewhere, and in some other places.
“That’s as much as I can tell you, to be fair to everyone.”
Perez, Bottas and Zhou the favourites… for now
Numerous articles on LWOS have detailed the leading contenders to join the American team.
Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu are the leading names to join Cadillac.
Bottas and Zhou, who were at Sauber last year, have made no secret of their intentions of returning to F1.
Now reserve drivers at Mercedes and Ferrari respectively, these former teammates are regularly in the paddock – allowing them to monitor any openings in the market.
Bottas’ experience and proven track record, along with Zhou’s solid results and sizable sponsorship, make them viable targets.
Cadillac’s team principal, Graeme Lowdon, is also part of Zhou’s management – which could boost the Chinese driver’s chances.
Sergio Perez is also a leading option, as Andretti himself confirmed.
The recent difficulties of Max Verstappen’s teammates have also boosted Perez’s value.
Still, it should be noted that Perez has also been linked to Alpine – meaning his options for 2026 are yet to be narrowed down.
Outside of these three drivers, few others have been linked to Cadillac.
Someone who could make himself a contender, depending on Lance Stroll’s recovery, is Felipe Drugovich.
The Brazilian is waiting to see if he will be called upon by Aston Martin as a replacement for Stroll at the Canadian GP.
Main photo: Seb Kawka (via Mercedes media gallery)
