The arrival of the General Motors – Cadillac association will open up new possibilities in the transfer market. Sport Auto takes stock of the drivers likely to defend the colors of the American giant in F1 from 2026.
Who to carry out the track successfully future Cadillac F1 team project under the aegis of General Motors ?
General Motors / Cadillac: new steering wheels to take
His upcoming arrival in Formula 1 now confirmed, speculation is rife on the identity of the future drivers that the General Motors / Cadillac association will enlist for its debut planned for the 2026 season.
While the transfer market in Formula 1 has never been as disrupted as in 2024, the green light given to the US training, known until recently as Andrettito make his entry into the queen discipline will extend the scope of tenure possibilities. For drivers already in the peloton as well as newcomers.
Let us also remember that the future team should more than likely turn towards Ferrari for a supply of powertrains, but also of the gearbox-transmission assembly, while waiting for General Motors completes the development of its future power unit.
Initially announced for 2028, the project could however be postponed over time but “by the end of the decade”, as specified by the group in its latest communication. Although the information is still fresh, let's already review the noms susceptible to defend the colors of Cadillac in F1 in a little over a year.
General Motors / Cadillac F1: which drivers in F1?
The first driver to come up in conversations is called Colton Herta. 2024 IndyCar vice-champion with Andretti Global, this young 24-year-old American has the moral and financial support of Dan Towrissthe strong man of TWG (Towriss Walter Global), the main partner of GM/Cadillac having taken over the helm of the project born under Andretti.
Herta has already eyed F1 in the recent past when he was tested by McLaren in 2022. But due to lack of a super license and real opportunities, he chose to stay in the United States. The arrival of GM/Cadillac could restart the machine.
If Herta gets his chance, a certain logic would be to focus more on experience for the second seatlike the future Audi team banking on the Nico Hülkenberg duo alongside the beginner Gabriel Bortoleto.
In terms of experience, several names are or will soon be on the sidelines like Daniel Ricciardo (35 years old), released by Red Bull, Valtteri Bottas (35 years old), left free by Sauber, and Kevin Magnussen (32 years old), at the end of his contract with Haas.
Finally, the role of reserve and development pilot could be entrusted to a young talent, ideally American. Like Crawfordaged 19, could fill this role. Currently in Formula 2 and already involved in F1 as a reserve at Aston Martin, he has a combination of experience and potential that matches Cadillac's expectations.
