Sergio Perez Sergio Perez announced his exit from Red Bull and could be roped in by Cadilac for 2026. Red Bull Content Pool.
Image: Red Bull Content Pool
Two lucky Formula 1 drivers could make history next season and join Cadillac - the 11th team to compete for the World Championship. It will be the first time that 11 teams take the grid since the start of F1 in 1950.
Since then, only 10 teams and 20 drivers have competed but this month, the FIA made a historic announcement, confirming Cadillac’s seat on the grid, and the second American team behind Haas.
The addition of Cadillac also means that there’s two new seats available next season, with a host of former drivers looking to seize a spot. But Cadillac Team Principal Graeme Lowdon said they are looking into hiring American drivers as well.
Being a bunch of newbies in the paddock, Cadillac will have to align themselves with all the F1 talent available to catch up with the rest of the field in terms of technical experience.
Valtteri Bottas, who is currently shining on the Mercedes bench, may be a viable option for them to kick start their F1 career and accompany the American driver Cadillac plan on hiring. Bottas is no stranger to the podium or pole position, having driven in 247 races. Bottas won 10 grand prix’s with Mercedes and drove next to one of the all time greats, Lewis Hamilton.
While many think his days are behind him, Bottas is still eager to drive and follows Mercedes around as a reserve, indicating his passion for the sport is still very much alive and burning.
The former Red Bull driver, who also ran alongside a game-changing World Champion in Max Verstappen, is an option for the American racing outfit. Cadillac have another viable option in Perez, who has been known as the Baku king during the height of his reign.
Perez parted ways with Red Bull last season after a somewhat disastrous clad of performances to end his time with the champions. Red Bull CEO Christian Horner said he wanted to give the Mexican a chance to prove himself one last time before thinking of replacing him, but Perez could not. Liam Lawson will start next to Verstappen this year in the RB21.
But now the 6-time Grand Prix winner will be looking for a path back into the world's most prestigious racing spectacle.
With him, a great aid to Cadillac, comes Mexican business backers, primarily in the form of billionaire Carlos Slim.
The solo orient driver on the grid, who had a disappointing season last year with Kick Sauber Ferrari, will look to regain his confidence in a Cadillac of all machines.
Guanyu ran at the bottom of the pack for most of last season, but did manage to finish off the season with some consolation, after an 8th place finish in Qatar, earning him some Championship Points.
The Chinese driver has also been fortunate enough to spend time on the world class Ferrari simulator, giving him an edge into the lastest F1 technology and its applications on the track.
He is a bit green in the tooth compared to Bottas and Perez, but no doubt will come at a lower cost and offer them more juice to squeeze in terms of longevity.
Colton Herta, the 24-year-old Indy Car racer, could help the Americans bring some ‘Days of Thunder’ to the F1 track. Herta finished 2nd in the IndyCar championship last season.
Indycar driving lacks a bit of technicality when it comes to cornering and fast tracks, as the American league mainly focuses on high speed rings. Herta will have a bit of a learning curve but Lowdon was vocal about Cadillac’s hiring practice for next season.
“For sure we are going to hire drivers based on merit. But as such, we see no reason as to why we won’t have American drivers in time,” Lowdon said.
Despite fitting the bill, Herta said F1 is not his mind and has made his intentions on winning an Indycar title clear, as he does not want to leave the sport second best.