Following a grueling standoff with Liberty Media that lasted nearly a year, General Motors has emerged victorious in the complex chess game and will officially debut in Formula 1 in 2026 as the eleventh team.
However, contrary to the initial plans, it won’t be Andretti representing the American giant in the top tier but rather Cadillac, another illustrious name in motorsport and one of the flagship brands of the group led by Mark Reuss.
While the team has already made moves in the technical market to begin laying the foundations of its future structure, the American outfit will soon need to start considering the driver pairing that will represent the team in just over a year and a half when the new technical regulations come into effect.
Two new seats to fill
Like Andretti, it is highly likely that General Motors will want to assign at least one seat to an American driver, ideally one with prior Formula 1 experience and already holding an FIA super license.
In this regard, Logan Sargeant would be an ideal candidate, having completed a season and a half with Williams, albeit without impressive results.
Another potential name could be Colton Herta, who was already linked to Formula 1 last year but has yet to earn the points necessary to secure a super license.
The third American name that could suit Cadillac is Jak Crawford. The Charlotte native has shown promise in F2 this year and already serves as a reserve driver for Andretti in Formula E, making him a plausible candidate.
Outside the American continent, Alex Palou, a three-time IndyCar world champion and McLaren reserve driver last season, comes to mind. Jake Dennis, who won the Formula E title with Andretti in 2022, could also be in the mix.
Drivers currently available in F1
As for the current F1 grid, attention should be given to the contractual situation of Sergio Perez, whose deal with Red Bull expires at the end of 2025. Sergio Perez might seek one last challenge in Formula 1 before retiring for good.
Mick Schumacher remains a relevant option, overlooked by all F1 teams this year but still eager to rejoin the grid through the front door.
Two other drivers leaving Formula 1 at the end of the season but who could return in 2026 are Valtteri Bottas, Kevin Magnussen, and Guanyu Zhou.
Bottas is expected to take on the role of third driver at Mercedes next year, while Magnussen has yet to announce his future plans. Zhou is also an unknown, though he boasts a valuable portfolio of sponsors.
Finally, there’s the potential track linked to Franco Colapinto. The Williams driver is still hoping for a call-up from Red Bull in 2025, but if he finds himself “on the bench” next season, the Cadillac option might become an enticing prospect for the young Argentine talent.
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