--- title: "What’s Your Ideal Cadillac F1 Driver Lineup?" date: "2025-07-16" modified: "2025-07-16" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/whats-your-ideal-cadillac-f1-driver-lineup" categories: - "F1" - "News" - "Racing" --- # What’s Your Ideal Cadillac F1 Driver Lineup? ![ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 07: Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing prepares to drive in the garage during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 07, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Bryn Lennon - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)]() *\Bryn Lennon\* There's a lot of noise on the internet right now about who will drive for the Cadillac [Formula 1]() team in 2026. Will it be former F1 drivers, juniors graduating from other formulas, or perhaps even an IndyCar driver? And considering the team will need four drivers total—two full-time racers, a reserve driver, and a development driver—could it be all of the above? Back in March, Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon told me he was keeping his options open and that [there was no valid reason he couldn't hire an American driver](). He also emphasized that the available spots would be awarded on merit, and that the team wasn't being pressured, per se, to hire someone in specific. In other words, all options were on the table. On Tuesday, Lowdon finally went a step further and [confirmed the names]() of *some* of the drivers the team has been talking to. Much to no one's surprise, it's Red Bull's best-ever Number 2, [Sergio Perez](), and Mercedes' best-ever Number 2, Valteri Bottas. It's the third name that struck me as a bit of a surprise: Mick Schumacher. The young, second-generation racer never truly got the opportunity he deserved in F1—and although other successful rookies have had the same challenges, I would argue that Mick probably could've done better with a team other than Haas. Perez is undoubtedly the top choice here, given his experience with small and big teams, as well as his legendary skills of tire and fuel conservation, and overall race management. And not to mention that he's a fine team player, having helped Max Verstappen win one if not two of his world titles. Bottas is a solid candidate, too. His years of experience at Mercedes are worth millions to Cadillac, which will undoubtedly need help establishing processes and procedures, as well as a great communicator to bridge the gap between drivers and engineering. Cadillac's development efforts will only be as effective as its drivers. And of course, Bottas' marketing appeal won't hurt with sponsors and merch sales. But what about someone else? Lowdon may have mentioned those three names, but it certainly doesn't mean they aren't talking to more drivers. If you were in his shoes, who would you hire, and what would your lineup look like? For me, I'd hire Checo and poach Alex Palou from IndyCar—why not! I'd give Schumacher the reserve driver role, and keep Bottas as a development driver. Laugh at me all you want in the comments. *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()