NASCAR star connected to a potential Cadillac F1 seat.

      "Initially, let's concentrate on Indianapolis."

      Another name has been added to the expanding list of contenders for Cadillac’s two new Formula 1 race seats in 2026. Already strongly associated with the American team, backed by General Motors, are renowned F1 figures Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas, Guanyu Zhou, and Mick Schumacher. Previously, the prevailing thought was that Cadillac would likely team American Indycar star Colton Herta—who does not yet possess an F1 super license—with a seasoned F1 driver.

      "There’s significant interest in this team, and we truly value that," Dan Towriss, a key member of the team, stated to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. He expressed the intention to build the team around an American driver but recognized that a different strategy might be necessary initially. "We aim to ensure that person is set up for success and that their seat is respected when that American driver joins the team," Towriss remarked. "We’ll determine the right way and time to introduce the right driver into Formula 1."

      There is a growing sentiment in the paddock suggesting that Cadillac's plan might involve keeping Herta, 25, in Indycar for the time being, while exploring other avenues to engage the American market. Mexican driver Pato O’Ward, for instance, is frequently associated with F1. When asked about the Cadillac speculations, McLaren CEO Zak Brown—who manages O’Ward in the brand's Indycar team under a solid contract—did not refute the connection. "I wouldn’t be pleased about it," Brown said, "but I wouldn’t prevent him."

      Another name in consideration is Nascar driver Kyle Larson, who, according to the aforementioned publication, is often compared to Max Verstappen in terms of talent. When the Associated Press inquired about Larson, General Motors president Mark Reuss replied: "Let’s focus on Indianapolis first." Indeed, 32-year-old Larson is competing in the Indy 500 for the second time this year, also representing McLaren.

      Ultimately, Reuss dismissed the notion that Donald Trump’s controversial tariff policies would impact the Cadillac F1 initiative. "There’s about $5 billion of impact for us," he stated. "But it won’t affect this (F1) project."