Cadillac's Driver Lineup - What is it?

[Nitrodaze]

There is a lot of talk about Cadillac and who would be in their driver lineup. Most are suggesting that Checo Perez is the strong favourite to fill one seat, and the other seat is unclear. Even so, there are lots of debates about whether Perez is the right choice. There are many who have given their thumbs-up to this, there are others who think Bottas is a better option. So which is it? Let us have a chinwag on this topic.

Perez has the advantage that he can impact the sales for Cardillac cars in the wider Americas due to his unmatched popularity in the Americas [Outside the USA that is]. He is a race winner who has beaten Verstappen in the same car before he was left out of the design equation at Redbull. His experience with Force India, working with a new team evolving into a points-winning team before it was sold, would be crucially beneficial to Cadillac. As a previous race winner with two teams, he has what it takes to drive the car close to its full potential.

Downside was his miserable years at Redbull where his performance suffered greatly from his inability to find a way to make that car work for him. The showing of Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda has vindicated him somewhat, but the damage is done and will always leave a question mark in the minds of many.

Bottas on the other hand, has an even richer credential when it comes to performance and potential. He has the speed and Mercedes experience to help develop the car into a proper points-scoring car. Better still, he has the potential to make the car a championship-challenging car.

Downside: unlike Perez, he doesn't come with any big sponsorship, nor can he impact the sales of Cardillac cars, which are not sold in Europe. Even if Cadillac wants to move into the European market, Bottas does not have the popularity and presence to facilitate such a project.

The other potential candidate is Ricciado, who well well-liked in the USA. Unfortunately, Ricciardo has both the downsides of Perez and Bottas. His poor performance at McLaren and Torro Rosso, where he has been dropped for rookies to take his place, makes him the least likely. to fill that seat.

That said, this is one man's view on things, how do you see it?

[airshifter]

I think as it stands Perez probably has the upper hand for the 1st seat. His record is very similar to Bottas', but as you said he has more marketing appeal in the America's. And lets's face it.... no matter what european driver held a seat, it won't sell many Cadillacs in Europe. But in either case, I see one of the two as the experienced and likely designated #1 driver to lead the team. Both have beaten WDC drivers in equal cars at times, neither had a great career in less dominant cars, and both are likely hungry to get back in a race car. Personally I rate them both as good to very good drivers, but neither as a great driver. Both have enough experience to help develop a car, and they know when they are sitting in a good car.


From there, I've heard quite a few more names that might be considered. Zhou Guanyu, Colton Herta, Alex Palou and Mick Schumacher have all been mentioned quite a bit as well. I really haven't even seen mention of Ricciardo, at least not from anyone actually associated with the Cadillac team structure. And though Mario has been quoted as saying that they would like to get a US driver in a seat, he has also said that might need to wait a few years. If it were me I would consider the first three I listed before Mick, as I think they would have more potential. Of all of them I think given the choice was mine it would be Palou. Herta doesn't have a super license at the moment, but could also learn a bit more before making the jump to F1.


And at this point I'll once again bring up how much the FIA sucks in their bias against Indycar. Many of the former F1 drives in the series would never been able to race F1 if they started in Indycar... that is how biased the FIA points are against them.

[Used to be Starter]

I have to agree with Nitrodaze in part. I believe Perez is a close to a lock for the seat as is possible at this point. The choice for the second seat is a more interesting exercise. With Mikey gone from the picture any chance of an American driver getting in has gone from maybe to slim. There are few Americans who qualify for a Super License. Herta's chance of getting one get slimmer by the event. The team's best bet would be an experienced driver who, along with Perez, can develop the car. They are very much going to need that in the first couple years. So my guess would be Bottas for the second seat. There is maybe an outside chance for Palou. You can put money on what I just said. (If you don't mind losing it. :p)

[airshifter]

If they could get both Perez and Bottas, it would be a good lineup. I really don't even know which one might end up the #1, but both have at least had both years of experience and time in winning cars. I suspect the new regs for '26 are going to make the cars a lot different to drive, so experience that can help develop the car might be critical.

[Matthew]

Sergio Perez looks like a leading candidate for one of Cadillac’s 2026 seats, bringing valuable experience. Mick Schumacher is also in the mix, offering F1 mileage and strong name recognition.

For reserve roles, at least one American driver seems likely. Colton Herta is a top contender if he can secure his super licence. Logan Sargeant is also a possibility, but his future seems less certain right now.

[Used to be Starter]

Sergio Perez looks like a leading candidate for one of Cadillac’s 2026 seats, bringing valuable experience. Mick Schumacher is also in the mix, offering F1 mileage and strong name recognition.

For reserve roles, at least one American driver seems likely. Colton Herta is a top contender if he can secure his super licence. Logan Sargeant is also a possibility, but his future seems less certain right now.
I think Logan's future in F1 is nil. As much as I wanted him to do well, he didn't move the needle.

[Matthew]

We have seen a lot of stories in the last couple of days which suggest that Checo to Cadillac (https://www.planetf1.com/news/sergio-perez-set-for-cadillac-f1-2026-announcement) is almost a done deal. While there isn't any official confirmation yet but he has been tipped as one of the drivers for Cadillac for some time now and it won't be a surprise if we see an official statement in the next few days. The other driver could be Bottas which I think would be a wise choice considering his experience. Apart from Cadillac, we may see some new drivers for some of the teams including including Racing Bulls and Alpine. Here is a detailed article (https://www.fanamp.com/f1-news/f1-2026-driver-contract-statuses) on the current situation about the drivers' lineup for the 2026 season. Do you see any surprise names to join Cadillac or another team as a driver for the next season?

[airshifter]

At this point I'm expecting Perez and Bottas. But being that it is Formula One we just won't know until we know.

It will be nice when they finally announce what is going on, I don't know how many more articles I have to scroll past about what might be.

[Matthew]

As per various reports, Bottas signing is done.

[gm99]

So it's both Bottas and Perez: https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/perez-and-bottas-to-make-f1-returns-in-2026-with-cadillac.6sqKNbUEoFjveym9YfGkxQ

TBH, I'm surprised they picked both of them; personally I would have expected them to pick one of the veterans and a younger driver.

As it stands now, F1's youngest team will have the oldest driver pairing next season.

[airshifter]

They can always make a move later if they want to bring a younger talent in, but for the initial car development this pairing is fairly solid.

Being that the new formula is going to really mix things up it's good timing for Cadillac to try to sort out the mechanical grip and new aero trickery before developing their engine.

Either way, I'll be glad to see both drivers back on the grid. Though neither might be considered the best of the best, they are both solid drivers and good for the position they are being hired for.

[Used to be Starter]

They can always make a move later if they want to bring a younger talent in, but for the initial car development this pairing is fairly solid.

Being that the new formula is going to really mix things up it's good timing for Cadillac to try to sort out the mechanical grip and new aero trickery before developing their engine.

Either way, I'll be glad to see both drivers back on the grid. Though neither might be considered the best of the best, they are both solid drivers and good for the position they are being hired for.

These two are exactly what Cadillac needs to develop their car. As much as I'd like to see an American driver, these two have the experience at this level of the sport and in winning teams/cars to assist Cadillac to getting up to speed. It's going to be an interesting 2026.

[Tazio]

Cadi' picking up Checo, and 'Tas are classic moves.
Also cool that Max was the first to congratulate Mc'Checo :dork:

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/sergio-perez-names-the-first-f1-driver-to-congratulate-him-on-cadillac-move

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk

[airshifter]

I think most drivers always liked Perez, and it was a shame to see him go.

With the marketing clout he has in the Americas I think Cadillac will do well to have him even if the car is a dog.

[airshifter]

These two are exactly what Cadillac needs to develop their car. As much as I'd like to see an American driver, these two have the experience at this level of the sport and in winning teams/cars to assist Cadillac to getting up to speed. It's going to be an interesting 2026.

Herta has been announced as the test driver. They have potentially lined up both an American and a young gun in one move.