Cadillac F1 Head: ‘There’s No Reason’ the Team Cannot Recruit an American Driver

      Qian Jun/MB Media

      Now that the Cadillac Formula 1 Team has been approved by the FIA and F1 to join the grid in 2026, the Indiana-based organization and its leaders must intensify their efforts to create a competitive package. A crucial aspect of that package will be selecting new racing drivers for the team's inaugural season, and a significant point of discussion has been whether they will include an American driver.

      In a press conference on Monday attended by The Drive, newly-appointed team principal Graeme Lowdon emphasized that Cadillac F1 is an American team, based in the U.S., and will eventually be powered by American engines. When asked about future drivers, the Brit and former F1 executive noted that there are many "good drivers available," and selection will be based on merit.

      “There’s no reason an American driver can’t be chosen based on merit—I believe it's something fans would appreciate,” Lowdon stated. “I don’t see why that can't happen. It must be based on merit. We have a job to accomplish here.”

      With about 10 months until the official team unveiling and a year before its first grand prix, Lowdon has a significant task ahead. The Andretti Global HQ in Fishers, Indiana is close to completion, and the team has made key hires, including F1 technical expert Pat Symonds, focusing on experienced individuals rather than young upstarts.

      “You can see we prioritize experience through the way we are assembling the rest of the team,” Lowdon mentioned. “Simply being part of F1 is not our goal. We aim to be a meaningful participant in the sport, and we understand that this can take time.”

      During the Q&A, reporters raised the names of various current and former drivers such as Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, and Logan Sargeant. Lowdon refrained from commenting on specific names but confirmed they are engaging with both active drivers from the grid and those who are not.

      “It’s essential to speak with multiple potential candidates. Do we see experienced, capable, highly talented drivers on the grid? Yes, we do,” he added. “We’ve only recently begun communications.”

      When I directly inquired if he believed IndyCar or WEC drivers had the capability to move up to F1, Lowdon did not give a straightforward answer. Instead, he explained that Cadillac F1 is searching for a driver that fits a specific mold or framework that the team needs—and assessing whether an IndyCar or WEC driver meets F1 standards is not a simple determination.

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