Cadillac aren’t afraid to take risks with their first Formula 1 driver line-up. That much is clear from their list of targets.
A report in the German press claims Cadillac are certain to sign Sergio Perez, who unravelled at Red Bull last season and saw his contract terminated by mutual consent. And his teammate could also be a driver who’s lost his seat.
Zhou Guanyu is a strong Cadillac contender, having been let go by Sauber at the end of 2024. Zhou’s manager, Graeme Lowdon, is the team principal.
Jack Doohan has also been linked with Cadillac after his demotion at Alpine. And as Yuki Tsunoda assesses his options before a likely Red Bull exit, his agent has spoken to the American squad.
Mick Schumacher tried to avoid attention at Cadillac F1 launch
Mick Schumacher is another driver who’s surprisingly been touted as an option. Schumacher hasn’t raced in F1 since 2022.
Haas released the German, who had been outshone by Kevin Magnussen, at the end of his second season. Subsequently a reserve for Mercedes, he’s out of F1 altogether right now, instead competing in the World Endurance Championship for Alpine.
But it’s clear that the 26-year-old is a serious contender for a drive. That explains why he attended the team’s launch party in Miami back in May.
Photo by Kym Illman/Getty Images
ESPN journalist Nate Saunders was also invited, and he noticed that Schumacher was trying not to catch the eye.
“I saw Mick Schumacher skulking around at the Cadillac launch party that we went to in Miami,” Saunders said on the Unlapped podcast. “He was hiding away, saw me, and I don’t whether it’s related, but he ducked behind the person he was with.
“I don’t know if he thought we’d take a picture. I’ve seen you Mick!”
Cadillac have three reasons to sign Mick Schumacher for 2026
A report from F1-Insider offers more details on Cadillac’s interest in Schumacher. They want a younger driver they can mould alongside a veteran like Perez.
While Schumacher is older than around half of the current grid, his limited experience in F1 means he can still improve. Cadillac have three main reasons to sign him – his ‘solid performances’ at WEC level, his ‘professional demeanour’ and his ability to bring his own sponsors.
They clearly feel he’s a better driver than the one who left Haas two and a half years ago. If they decide against a full-time seat, a back-up role is theoretically possible.
Guenther Steiner has urged Cadillac to sign Schumacher, a symbolically important vote of confidence from the man who let him go.