Cadillac’s confirmation as an F1 entry for 2026 has led to much discussion regarding their drivers – from potential IndyCar drivers and experienced F1 veterans, through IndyCar ace Aric Almirall all the way to future IndyCar talents – giving Cadillac plenty of choices from which they may select their team’s race team drivers.
Principal of Cadillac F1 team Graeme Lowdon has shared his views regarding considerations for their initial driver lineup. Zhou Guanyu and Colton Herta stand out among these candidates due to their backgrounds in Formula 1 racing as well as IndyCar racing respectively.
Prominent Contenders: Zhou and Herta
Prior to becoming Cadillac’s team principal, Lowdon had worked closely with Zhou Guanyu, making Zhou a logical consideration for the team. With three years of F1 experience, Zhou’s proven track record and appeal to sponsors are viewed as valuable assets for the nascent team. Despite committing to a role as Ferrari’s reserve driver, Zhou remains a strong contender for a race seat with Cadillac in 2026.
Zhou’s not the only one in the running; Valtteri Bottas and several other drivers are also positioning themselves as viable options for Cadillac, highlighting the competitive nature of the driver market for the 2026 season.
Lowdon praised Zhou for his impressive accomplishments under challenging conditions, emphasizing that their past relationship would not unfairly influence any decision. This assertion highlights the team’s commitment to fairness and meritocracy in their selection process.
The SuperLicense Hurdle for Herta
Colton Herta is another driver associated with Cadillac who faces the difficulty of attaining enough SuperLicense points to qualify for F1 racing. However, Lowdon acknowledged his exceptional talent and confirmed he is under consideration with many other qualified candidates for a seat – Herta’s situation highlights all the complexities involved with making such a transition; Cadillac appears open to exploring all possibilities available to them.
Cadillac must make careful consideration and negotiation a priority as they prepare to enter Formula 1 in 2026. Their lineup will undoubtedly draw much scrutiny as Cadillac selects both experienced and emerging talents for their first driver lineup.