Cadillac’s incoming Formula 1 team has made it clear that driver selection for the 2026 season will be based on merit, with the possibility of including an American driver. Graeme Lowdon, the team principal of the new F1 squad, emphasised that the team will prioritize talent and performance in choosing its driver line-up, even as the idea of fielding a homegrown American driver remains in the conversation.

In a significant step for the American automotive giant, General Motors’ Cadillac brand was officially approved for the 2026 Formula 1 grid. However, preparations for the team’s debut have been underway for some time, with driver talks only becoming possible after the official ratification of the entry.

“We definitely select on merit,” Lowdon stated.

“Formula 1, it’s not a playground, this is the pinnacle of world motorsport.”

Due to the unconventional timeline of their entry, Lowdon explained that Cadillac is slightly out of sync with the other F1 teams. The team’s late entry into the driver market means that many top drivers are already tied up in contracts, making the selection process more challenging. However, Lowdon remains optimistic about the available pool of talented drivers.

“Luckily for us, there are a lot of good drivers out there,” he noted. “Unfortunately, we’ve not been able to be in the driver market until the entry was confirmed.”

Despite the timing challenges, Lowdon is confident that they can find suitable candidates. He mentioned that more than half a dozen drivers, if not more, offer the credentials needed to compete in Formula 1.

“We are going to be quite busy talking to a few people,” he said.

Some experienced drivers currently without a seat in F1 have been linked to Cadillac, including Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas, and Zhou Guanyu. These drivers could bring valuable experience to the team, especially with the challenges of launching a new squad in F1.

Lowdon specifically singled out Zhou Guanyu, noting that he has worked closely with the Chinese driver through his management team and has seen firsthand Zhou’s abilities in difficult circumstances.

“Zhou’s done an exceptionally good job under difficult circumstances, and what makes it actually quite useful for me is he doesn’t necessarily need to explain the background of his abilities because I’ve had a front-row seat to see all that,” Lowdon explained.

While he emphasized that there would be no favoritism towards any particular driver, Lowdon acknowledged that Zhou’s experience could be an asset in the team’s early years.

One of the most frequently asked questions regarding Cadillac’s entry into Formula 1 is whether the team will field an American driver. Lowdon has not dismissed the possibility, acknowledging that the American public and fans would likely enjoy seeing one of their own in the sport. However, he reiterated that driver selection will remain focused on merit.

“The obvious question is whether we’ll have American drivers, and personally, I see no reason why an American driver can’t be selected on merit as well,” said Lowdon. “It’s certainly something that the fans would like to see, and I see no reason why that can’t happen.”

Lowdon emphasized that nationality would not be a deciding factor in the selection process.

“Just because someone’s American doesn’t mean they can’t be a good Formula 1 driver,” he said.

One American driver frequently mentioned in connection with the Cadillac team is IndyCar’s Colton Herta. The 24-year-old has been a standout in American open-wheel racing but currently faces a significant hurdle in his pursuit of a Formula 1 seat—he does not have enough superlicence points to race in F1.

Lowdon acknowledged Herta’s talent but made it clear that the team would not be able to sign him unless he meets the required superlicence threshold.

“With regard to Colton, so he doesn’t have the required number of superlicence points, and if that were to remain the case, then that’s clearly an impediment for him,” Lowdon explained. “We can’t choose a driver that doesn’t have the points. That is just the real world that we live in, and we just have to take that into account.”

Despite the regulatory hurdle, Lowdon praised Herta’s abilities, stating, “He’s incredibly talented, so it’s not shock news that we would be looking to Colton alongside a whole bunch of other drivers as well.”

However, the lack of superlicence points is not an issue unique to Herta, as Lowdon pointed out that several other drivers might also face similar challenges in the future.

As the Cadillac team continues to build its structure for the 2026 season, Lowdon remains focused on assembling a talented and competitive driver lineup. With the official confirmation of Cadillac’s F1 entry now in place, the team is set to embark on an exciting journey in one of the most prestigious motorsport championships in the world.

Regardless of the nationality of the drivers, Lowdon’s clear message is that merit will be the driving factor in shaping the team’s future. Fans around the world will eagerly watch as Cadillac works to finalize its lineup and take its place on the Formula 1 grid in just a few short years.

Having already secured a deal for Ferrari’s power unit and gearbox, the American team may take a similar approach to Haas, which has sourced components from Maranello since joining the grid in 2016.

While no official confirmation has been given, such an agreement would not only provide Cadillac with a strong technical foundation but also allow it to allocate resources to other areas, including recruitment. Assembling the right personnel will be crucial for managing its two-car operation in 2026.

Several teams on the grid already source suspension components externally. In addition to Haas, Racing Bulls receives parts from Red Bull, while Aston Martin integrates the complete rear-end assembly from Mercedes. Cadillac’s potential deal with Ferrari would follow a well-established pattern in F1.

After securing FIA approval to become the 11th team on the grid, Cadillac is already a concern for backmarker teams. Unlike existing teams that face limitations on wind tunnel and CFD testing, Cadillac benefits from fewer regulatory constraints, granting it 115% of the standard wind tunnel allocation—similar to what tenth-placed Sauber receives under the regulations.

This advantage allows Cadillac to focus entirely on developing its 2026 car, while its rivals must balance resources between the current and future regulations. The upcoming tightening of front wing flex rules from the Spanish Grand Prix in June will further complicate matters for established teams, forcing them to adapt their 2025 cars while Cadillac continues its development uninterrupted.

The American team is utilizing one of Toyota’s wind tunnels in Cologne, where former F1 consultant Pat Symonds has played a key role in shaping its aerodynamic development around Ferrari’s power unit and gearbox. While Ferrari will supply engines initially, Cadillac plans for General Motors to introduce its own power unit later in the decade.

This strategic partnership with Ferrari provides Cadillac with a solid entry point into F1, particularly as it builds an experienced technical team. With strong resources and a focused approach, the new outfit could challenge expectations when it joins the grid in 2026.