Who would be your perfect lineup of Cadillac F1 drivers?

      Bryn Lennon

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      Currently, there is significant discussion online regarding who will be part of the Cadillac Formula 1 team in 2026. Will they choose former F1 drivers, juniors stepping up from other series, or possibly an IndyCar driver? Given that the team will require four drivers in total—two full-time racers, a reserve, and a development driver—could they potentially opt for a mix of all these candidates?

      In March, Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon mentioned that he was exploring all possibilities and stated there was no reason he couldn't bring on an American driver. He also highlighted that the positions would be filled based on merit and that there wasn’t any specific pressure to hire someone particular. This means all options remain viable.

      On Tuesday, Lowdon took things a step further by confirming some of the drivers the team has been in discussions with. Unsurprisingly, they include Sergio Perez, Red Bull's top second driver, and Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes' leading second driver. The third name, Mick Schumacher, caught my attention as somewhat unexpected. The young, second-generation racer hasn't truly had the opportunity he deserves in F1—and while other successful newcomers have faced similar challenges, I contend that Mick likely could have performed better with a team other than Haas.

      Perez is clearly the preferred choice given his extensive experience with both smaller and larger teams, coupled with his renowned skills in tire and fuel management, along with overall race strategy. Additionally, he has proven to be an excellent team player, aiding Max Verstappen in winning at least one, if not two, world titles.

      Bottas is also a strong candidate. His experience at Mercedes is invaluable for Cadillac, which will certainly need guidance on establishing effective processes and communication between drivers and engineering. The success of Cadillac's development initiatives will largely depend on its drivers. Moreover, Bottas’ marketability will benefit sponsorship and merchandise sales.

      However, what if there was another option? While Lowdon mentioned these three names, it doesn't necessarily imply that discussions are limited to them. If you were in his position, who would you choose, and what would your lineup look like?

      Personally, I would select Checo and recruit Alex Palou from IndyCar—why not! I’d assign Schumacher the reserve driver role, while keeping Bottas in the development driver position. Feel free to criticize my choices in the comments.

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