Mario Andretti, a top advisor for Cadillac, reveals the current state of affairs for the upcoming eleventh team. The American racing team is busy preparing for their debut in 2026, but they still need to select drivers. According to Andretti, Cadillac’s disadvantage is the limited choice, as many drivers are already committed to competing teams. However, there are certainly still a few major talents without a contract, and they don’t necessarily have to be American, says Andretti.
The moment when the eleventh team, Cadillac, makes its debut on the Formula 1 grid is getting closer. The Americans, under team boss Graeme Lowdon, are busy with preparations, but still lack two drivers who will steer their cars next year. Cadillac’s top advisor Mario Andretti shares who he sees behind the wheel at the American racing team, and that’s good news for Sergio Pérez.
Pérez lost his spot at Red Bull last December, but is now one of the candidates to join Cadillac. “He is definitely being considered, he has to be,” Andretti tells Fox Sports. “I can’t reveal how far we are in negotiations. We prefer to keep this to ourselves until we have examined all available drivers.”
The racing team has the luxury of making their driver choices at leisure, as many drivers are already under contract with the competition. According to Andretti, this is also a disadvantage. “The choice is somewhat limited, let’s be honest,” the American continues. “Many of the big talents are already under contract. Fortunately, there are still a few, three or four, who definitely deserve consideration. There are conversations going on somewhere. I can’t tell you more than that.”
No American driver?
In addition to Pérez, IndyCar driver and American Colton Herta, former Formula 1 driver Mick Schumacher, Mercedes reserve driver Valtteri Bottas, and Ferrari reserve driver Zhou Guanyu are also on the list. “If there is a possibility to return to Formula 1, with any team, I definitely see that as an option,” Zhou said about a potential Cadillac seat.
Zhou’s chances for that coveted seat have increased, as Andretti confirms that Cadillac does not necessarily need to have an American driver from the start. “If we feel at this moment that we may have to wait a season or so to bring in an American, then so be it,” concludes the advisor. “It would be optimal if we could definitively say: ‘Yes, we already have the American.’ At one point we thought we might, but now we want to keep that option open.”
