Mario Andretti has revealed that Cadillac’s desire is to begin its impending venture in Formula 1 in 2026 with one experienced driver partnered with an “American talent”.
The General Motors-backed operation has an agreement in principle with F1 to enter as the 11th side next season when sweeping new technical regulations are introduced.
Cadillac has recruited several notable figures, including ex-F1 Chief Technical Officer Pat Symonds and erstwhile Renault designer Nick Chester as Technical Director.
But while there has been no news regarding the potential driver line-up, Andretti, who is involved in the project as an advisor, has given an insight into the squad’s plans.
The 1978 F1 champion has divulged that hiring an American driver is desired, with multiple-time IndyCar winner Colton Herta the name that has been touted the most.
Andretti has admitted Herta is on the radar, while he has acknowledged that it would be logical to prioritise signing an established name to ease the team’s transition into F1.
“You mentioning candidates, he’s definitely one that’s considered,” Andretti told NBC News.
“From our standpoint, I think the play at the beginning would be to have one experienced driver – nationality doesn’t matter – and then a young American talent.
“These are the objectives at the moment.”
Steiner urges Cadillac to consider Perez
Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, who both lost their seats at Sauber and have landed reserve roles at Mercedes and Ferrari respectively, have held talks with Cadillac.
But Guenther Steiner, who headed Haas’ step into F1 in 2016, believes the American marque should be going all out to attract Sergio Perez to make a return to the sport.
Despite the struggles that consigned Perez to being dropped at Red Bull, Steiner has claimed that the Mexican, a six-time F1 race winner, would be a wise addition at Cadillac.
“If you’re Cadillac, you need somebody experienced,” Steiner said via GPblog. “Checo has been in quite a few teams for a long time. He knows his way around. He could be a big help.”
“Maybe put him (Perez) on a one-year contract, it’s a lot better than having old rookies in there. That’s an opportunity for Checo.
“And by then, a year of digesting the beating from Max [Verstappen], he recovers from the Dutch beating, so it could bring him to a better place again.
“I would say he could have value for Cadillac.”
Perez backed to rediscover form in lower team
Steiner is certain that in an environment where the pressure is alleviated because wins aren’t expected, Perez would regain the form that earned him a Red Bull chance.
“Wait a moment,” he continued. “I don’t want to be cynical here. He was up at the front of the grid last year.
“We need to be realistic. Fighting for one point because the car cannot be better is one thing, but fighting for one point when your team-mate with the same car is winning races puts you in a different headspace, it’s a different pressure.
“Checo was very good when he was at Force India Racing, whatever it was called, Racing Point. He always overdelivered as an underdog.
“He couldn’t keep up with the pressure of the top team.
“So maybe it’s his comfort zone where he has not got that pressure to need to show that he’s good by winning, by showing that I can make a point, maybe that maybe puts him in a better place.”
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