The summer break is the perfect opportunity for Formula 1’s newest team, Cadillac, to finally dive into the driver market.
Although Mercedes are unlikely to confirm George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s new contracts in the coming weeks, both racers are likely to no longer be available on the F1 driver market for 2026.
Russell was of interest to Cadillac at some point this year before it became clear that Max Verstappen was committing his future to Red Bull, securing the four-time race winner’s position with the Silver Arrows.
It means that unless Cadillac can sign Yuki Tsunoda from Red Bull if he’s not retained by Laurent Mekies’ outfit, the American team will be signing two drivers who aren’t currently on the grid.
TEAMDRIVER 1DRIVER 2AlpinePierre GaslyN/AAston MartinFernando AlonsoLance StrollAudiGabriel BortoletoNico HulkenbergCadillacN/AN/AFerrariCharles LeclercLewis HamiltonHaasEsteban OconOliver BearmanMcLarenLando NorrisOscar PiastriMercedesN/AN/ARacing BullsN/AN/ARed Bull RacingMax VerstappenN/AWilliamsAlex AlbonCarlos Sainz2026 confirmed F1 drivers
Team principal Graeme Lowdon has a big choice to make, and the sooner two drivers put pen to paper, the sooner they can begin work in the simulator.
The more help they can get when it comes to developing next year’s car, the better, and figures in the paddock are starting to lean towards Cadillac potentially signing two drivers who would have all the required experience to guide the team through their debut season.
READ MORE: Valtteri Bottas’ life outside F1 from girlfriend to wine and gin
Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images‘Many people’ in the F1 paddock think Cadillac will sign Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez
A report from the Brazilian outlet UOL Esporte has shared more details about Cadillac’s search for their first driver pairing.
Fernando Alonso has backed Felipe Drugovich for a Cadillac seat, and he’s one of the candidates for the role.
However, a meeting held the Tuesday before the Hungarian Grand Prix by Cadillac chiefs saw many topics, including the driver line-up, discussed.
It’s believed that Valtteri Bottas is in the ‘most advanced talks’ with the team, but he was even ‘left in the dark’ after their most recent discussions.
Grand Prix starts246Pole positions20Podiums67Wins10Fastest laps19Points1797Best finish2nd (2019, 2020)Valtteri Bottas’ Formula 1 career
Bottas is said to have agreed terms with Cadillac, but has not signed a deal, a situation he found himself in last season at Sauber before eventually missing out on a race seat.
It’s been suggested that Sergio Perez ‘is in talks and is interested’ in racing for Cadillac next season, but isn’t quite as close to agreeing a deal as Bottas.
The report goes on to say that ‘many in the paddock’ believe that Bottas and Perez are the combination that Cadillac will go with.
But at this stage, ‘no concrete information’ on whether that’s the case is currently available.
READ MORE: Sergio Perez’s life outside F1 from net worth to nickname
Sergio Perez attracting options from up and down the Formula 1 paddock
After losing his seat at Red Bull at the end of last season, Perez hasn’t had to return to a circuit for his reputation to have improved.
The struggles of Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have highlighted that Perez did a better job alongside Max Verstappen than many people realised.
Perez’s most likely option for next season appears to be Cadillac, but they’re not the only team considering a move for the Mexican.
Grand Prix starts281Pole positions3Podiums39Wins6Fastest laps12Points1638Best championship result2nd (2023)Sergio Perez’s Formula 1 career stats
Alpine have been linked with Perez in case they decide to replace Franco Colapinto, who didn’t do himself any favours after crashing during a Pirelli tyre test at the Hungaroring.
Perez also emerged as a surprise option for Williams should they need to replace either of their current drivers.
It would be a real surprise to see either Alex Albon or Carlos Sainz needing to be replaced for 2026, but stranger things have happened in Formula 1.