Graeme Lowdon, set to lead the new Cadillac Formula 1 team, has affirmed that the squad will prioritize driver selection purely on merit for their inaugural 2026 season. This follows the team narrowing down a list of potential candidates.
Backed by General Motors, Cadillac`s entry will expand the F1 grid to 11 teams next year, although their driver lineup remains undecided. Lowdon indicated that the team already has a strong sense of who they aim to sign.
“We`ve narrowed it down quite a bit,” Lowdon told Sky Sports F1. “But we`re out of sync with the rest of the teams at the moment.” He explained that because their entry wasn`t confirmed earlier, they were excluded from the recent round of driver market discussions. This, however, means “a lot less competitive tension,” allowing them more time for their decisions.
Lowdon stressed the team`s immediate focus: “Quite obviously, the number one priority for us as a team is to have something for the driver to drive and that is where a lot of the management bandwidth is focused.”
Sergio Perez, currently on a break from F1 after his departure from Red Bull at the end of last season, is widely considered a potential candidate for the team. Similarly, Valtteri Bottas, who recently drove for Sauber/Stake, is another experienced driver who could provide valuable insight for a new entry like Cadillac.
Given that a primary motivation for Cadillac`s entry into F1 is to enhance the sport`s popularity in the United States, many anticipate at least one American driver joining the team for their debut season. IndyCar standout Colton Herta, previously linked to F1 three years ago, is a prominent American prospect. However, Lowdon was clear that nationality will not be the deciding factor in driver selection.
“I think everyone would love to see an American driver in an American team with an American engine at some stage,” Lowdon commented.
“But, also, this is a world championship, we have to select everyone on merit and, as we`ve said before, there`s nothing stopping a girl or boy with an American passport driving for an American Formula 1 team.”
He concluded, “We will select on merit. If the driver happens to be an American, then I think it`s something the fans would really like, but this is a world championship, we`ve got to respect it, and we want to be as competitive as we can. So we choose everyone in the team on merit.”
Is Cadillac Racing Against the Clock for 2026?
Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsport, which partnered with General Motors for the Cadillac entry, acknowledged that being fully prepared for the 2026 season, starting with pre-season testing in late January, will be a “challenge.”
Lowdon described the phrase “a race against time” as dramatic, despite the significant task of developing the car and simultaneously establishing a new manufacturing base in Indiana, necessitating operations elsewhere during construction.
“As everybody knows, they`ll be tuning into the first Grand Prix next year and we have to be there. We can`t turn up a week later and do the race behind everyone else,” Lowdon stated, highlighting the fixed deadline.
He added that countdown clocks are installed in their factories, mirroring those seen in F1 garages, ticking down to the first Grand Prix of 2026. “So there`s a few days on there and it`s to remind everyone that time tends to accelerate when you`re when you`re up against a solid object,” Lowdon said. “So it`s just there to remind everyone, and it`s a good thing as well. We`re in the game; we`re not racing on the track yet but we`re racing in the factory.”
