As Cadillac readies its long-awaited debut on the Formula One grid, excitement is building around the impending announcement of its 2026 driver roster. The brand’s entry into F1—backed by General Motors (GM) and TWG Motorsports—is being shaped with meticulous care, blending experience and American representation amid a flurry of speculation and preparation.
Cadillac’s formal acceptance into the prestigious Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) championship as the 11th team on the grid was confirmed earlier this year, marking the first new team since 2016.
As part of the approval process, the team established training and development facilities across the United States and Europe, and is leasing Ferrari power units through the end of the decade while preparing its own engine program.
With a launch event held at the Miami Grand Prix in May 2025, Cadillac debuted its official F1 branding, setting the tone for a modern, high-tech identity. Now, attention has turned to what many consider the team’s most defining decision: who will drive the cars when the lights go green in 2026.
Reports have surfaced suggesting that veteran Mexican driver Sergio Pérez—who left Red Bull at the end of 2024 and spent the 2025 season on the sidelines—has reached an agreement to join Cadillac.
PlanetF1, citing multiple sources, indicates that the team principal, Graeme Lowdon, values Pérez’s deep F1 experience: “Do we value experience? Yes, you can see that from how we’re putting the rest of the team together — there’s a lot of very experienced people within the management and operational side of the team as well.”
The prospective signing of Pérez would bring continuity and credibility to a nascent team still finding its footing. Yet Cadillac is also exploring options for the second seat, including seasoned drivers like Valtteri Bottas, and younger talents such as Aston Martin reserve Felipe Drugovich and Formula 2 standouts Jak Crawford and Alex Dunne.
Finally, there remains interest in securing an American driver to reflect Cadillac’s national identity, though executives emphasize a merit-based selection process.
Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports, has explicitly stated that the team would not simply “grab” an American for the sake of optics. “We want to do it proper,” he said, underscoring the importance of competence and readiness.
The team continues to consider names such as Colton Herta—an IndyCar standout and son of Mario Andretti—though his superlicense eligibility relies on achieving a top-four finish in the current season.
Beyond driver deliberations, the broader strategy behind Cadillac’s F1 entry is rooted in long-term investment and ambitious planning. Since 2022, under Lowdon’s leadership, the organization has methodically built out its operations, hiring top engineering talent such as aerodynamicist Jon Tomlinson, technical director Nick Chester, and consulting veteran Pat Symonds.
A countdown clock ticks on the walls of every office, a tension-building reminder of the approaching debut in March 2026.
Building the powertrain arm of the enterprise, GM has tasked Russ O’Blenes with overseeing a new “full-works” power unit program—designed to produce championship-level engines for Cadillac starting no later than the end of the decade.
Until then, Ferrari remains the engine supplier, smoothing the path toward initial launches while Cadillac establishes its own technical infrastructure.
Industry watchers see major symbolic weight in Cadillac’s arrival. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem called the move a “transformative moment,” underscoring how GM’s entry aligns with new 2026 regulations and the brand’s global prestige.
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali echoed that sentiment, emphasizing how Cadillac brings “fresh energy” to the sport and boosts its commercial and cultural momentum.