With Cadillac confirmed as the latest team to join the Formula One paddock, we at OverTake have been trying to determine who could fill those illustrious seats for 2026. There is plenty of variety, but who do you think will find themselves behind the wheel of Formula One's latest entry?
Since his dismissal at Haas, Mick has been Mercedes' reserve driver for 2023 and 2024, and has slowly seen an increase in form in his Alpine WEC duties. Now aged 26, he should be a more mature driver, and the enormous pressure of his early career has dissipated.
Mick Schumacher, Emilia Romagna Grand Prix 2022. Image: Wastrick on Wikimedia Commons via CC BY-SA 4.0
I realise this is more of an "I'd love to see it" type of scenario rather than a realistic one, but as an F3 and F2 champion, it is clear that Mick knows how to drive a race car. That's why I'd like to see what he can do in a properly funded team with less pressure attached.
On a more serious note, K-Mag probably is not the most realistic choice either, having become a BMW works driver in 2025 to race for their Hypercar program in WEC and IMSA, as well as having just been confirmed to share a car with Valentino Rossi in the 2025 24 Hours of Spa. But technically, the Dane fits the bill quite nicely. Cadillac are reportedly looking for a seasoned driver, which Magnussen certainly is, considering the nine F1 seasons he has under his belt.
Kevin Magnussen in 2014 and 2024. Image: Formula One
He may never have set the world on fire, but he scored points in every season he competed in, even when Haas were at the bottom of the standings. As Magnussen will be 33 when the 2026 season starts, he could still have quite a few years ahead of him at a very competitive level. There may also be some General Motors connection still, with Kevin's dad, Jan, having competed for Corvette Racing for 16 years between 2004 and 2019, celebrating four GT class victories at Le Mans along the way.
Beyond his on-track achievements, Perex brings substantial commercial appeal. His strong Mexican fanbase and backing from sponsors like Carlos Slim's Telmex could significantly boost Cadillac's presence in key markets such as Mexico, Austin, Miami, and Las Vegas. Former Red Bull team boss Christian Horner and ex-Haas principal Guenther Steiner have endorsed Perez's potential fit with Cadillac, emphasising his experience and leadership qualities in those endorsements.
Sergio Perez exiting his Red Bull in Abu Dhabi 2024. Image: Red Bull Content Pool / Getty Images
Second, Ricciardo's infectious personality and Netflix-boosted personality make him one of the paddock's most marketable figures, perfect for an American manufacturer seeking to turn new fans into Cadillac customers. He commands sell-out crowds in Austin, Miami, and Las Vegas, offering instant commercial uplifts for sponsors and the GM brand, something they really need to improve.
Daniel Ricciardo, Singapore 2024. Image: Red Bull Content Pool
Thirdly, Ricciardo thrives in start-up environments: he guided Renault back to the podium and mentored Lando Norris at McLaren, proving he can galvanise engineers and younger drivers alike. Such leadership will accelerate team cohesion during Cadillac's steep first-season learning curve.
Finally, a factory programme gives Ricciardo the long-desired works seat and a chance to etch his name in history as Cadillac's first podium finisher. The partnership promises revitalisation for both parties: a charismatic veteran leading a bold new American contender onto Formula 1's global stage together.
Valtteri Bottas, KICK Sauber 2024. Image: Red Bull Content Pool / Getty Images
I have gone for a combination of experience and untapped potential. Making up the former is Valtteri Bottas, for whom I believe the term "criminally underrated" does not quite do justice to the perception of the Finn. People like to push this nonsense that Lewis Hamilton has had easy teammates, and yes, Bottas, compared to the likes of Alonso, Button, Rosberg and Leclerc, he is not close to them.
But compared to teammates of drivers who actively avoid having competition on the other side of the garage, such as Barrichello and Pérez, I would rank Bottas infinitely higher. His stock probably sunk after being beaten by Zhou during their tenure at Alfa Romeo/Sauber, but it feels criminal to me that Hülkenberg continues to be in F1 and Bottas does not. (Stroll, of course, should go without saying, but inevitably, someone will ask why I put Hülkenberg in and not Stroll.)
Alex Palou on his way to pole position for the 2023 Indianapolis 500. Image: Zach Catanzareti on WikiMedia Commons via CC BY 2.0
Formula One was on Palou's radar for a time, but he eventually fell out with McLaren after stating he was unwilling to wait around for Norris or Piastri to "get hurt" so he could do a race. But now, a place has opened up, and if any IndyCar driver were to end up there, it should be Palou.
But then again, there is almost no chance they will be competitive in the near future, so it seems quite an easy choice, competing for IndyCar titles or at the tail end of the F1 grid. Then again, Kamui Kobayashi turned down a paid LMGTE Ferrari drive for an unpaid Caterham F1 drive, so who knows?
Who do you think will be driving for Cadillac? Let us know in the comments down below!
Yannik Haustein: Mick Schumacher
I know there has been speculation about this already, and plenty of folks are convinced that Mick has had his chance and did not live up to it. But I don't quite buy that. Of course, his first F1 tenure with Haas was far from great. No points in 2021, just 12 in 2022 compared to his veteran teammate Kevin Magnussen's 25 and a fair bit of crash damage meant that Schumacher was shown the door at the end of his second season. But I feel like this didn't quite allow him to show what he can do in a car that isn't struggling not to be last.Since his dismissal at Haas, Mick has been Mercedes' reserve driver for 2023 and 2024, and has slowly seen an increase in form in his Alpine WEC duties. Now aged 26, he should be a more mature driver, and the enormous pressure of his early career has dissipated.
Mick Schumacher, Emilia Romagna Grand Prix 2022. Image: Wastrick on Wikimedia Commons via CC BY-SA 4.0
I realise this is more of an "I'd love to see it" type of scenario rather than a realistic one, but as an F3 and F2 champion, it is clear that Mick knows how to drive a race car. That's why I'd like to see what he can do in a properly funded team with less pressure attached.
Kevin Magnussen
Might as well reunite the 2022 Haas driver pairing while we're at it, right? Also, I have to pick someone who isn't Checo Perez or on my colleagues' lists, so here we go.On a more serious note, K-Mag probably is not the most realistic choice either, having become a BMW works driver in 2025 to race for their Hypercar program in WEC and IMSA, as well as having just been confirmed to share a car with Valentino Rossi in the 2025 24 Hours of Spa. But technically, the Dane fits the bill quite nicely. Cadillac are reportedly looking for a seasoned driver, which Magnussen certainly is, considering the nine F1 seasons he has under his belt.
Kevin Magnussen in 2014 and 2024. Image: Formula One
He may never have set the world on fire, but he scored points in every season he competed in, even when Haas were at the bottom of the standings. As Magnussen will be 33 when the 2026 season starts, he could still have quite a few years ahead of him at a very competitive level. There may also be some General Motors connection still, with Kevin's dad, Jan, having competed for Corvette Racing for 16 years between 2004 and 2019, celebrating four GT class victories at Le Mans along the way.
Connor Minniss: Sergio Perez
Sergio Perez would be an ideal choice for Cadillac F1's 2026 debut. With over a decade in Formula 1, including stints at Red Bull and Racing Point, Perez offers invaluable experience to guide a new team through its formative years. His reputation for tire management and consistent point-scoring in midfield cars makes him a strategic asset.Beyond his on-track achievements, Perex brings substantial commercial appeal. His strong Mexican fanbase and backing from sponsors like Carlos Slim's Telmex could significantly boost Cadillac's presence in key markets such as Mexico, Austin, Miami, and Las Vegas. Former Red Bull team boss Christian Horner and ex-Haas principal Guenther Steiner have endorsed Perez's potential fit with Cadillac, emphasising his experience and leadership qualities in those endorsements.
Sergio Perez exiting his Red Bull in Abu Dhabi 2024. Image: Red Bull Content Pool / Getty Images
Daniel Ricciardo
Firstly, the Australian is a proven race winner with Red Bull and McLaren and multiple podiums in Yellow for Renault. Ricciardo has demonstrated he can achieve impressive results, even when the car is not championship-contending. His career spans three regulation cycles, including the 2014 turbo-hybrid launch, experience Cadillac can exploit while its power-unit programme matures toward 2029.Second, Ricciardo's infectious personality and Netflix-boosted personality make him one of the paddock's most marketable figures, perfect for an American manufacturer seeking to turn new fans into Cadillac customers. He commands sell-out crowds in Austin, Miami, and Las Vegas, offering instant commercial uplifts for sponsors and the GM brand, something they really need to improve.
Daniel Ricciardo, Singapore 2024. Image: Red Bull Content Pool
Thirdly, Ricciardo thrives in start-up environments: he guided Renault back to the podium and mentored Lando Norris at McLaren, proving he can galvanise engineers and younger drivers alike. Such leadership will accelerate team cohesion during Cadillac's steep first-season learning curve.
Finally, a factory programme gives Ricciardo the long-desired works seat and a chance to etch his name in history as Cadillac's first podium finisher. The partnership promises revitalisation for both parties: a charismatic veteran leading a bold new American contender onto Formula 1's global stage together.
Luca Munro: Valtteri Bottas
Here I am making one of my rare utterances about Formula One on this site. I usually avoid this topic as I have not followed the series since the end of 2021. But I have plenty to say about who I believe should be Cadillac's drivers next season.Valtteri Bottas, KICK Sauber 2024. Image: Red Bull Content Pool / Getty Images
I have gone for a combination of experience and untapped potential. Making up the former is Valtteri Bottas, for whom I believe the term "criminally underrated" does not quite do justice to the perception of the Finn. People like to push this nonsense that Lewis Hamilton has had easy teammates, and yes, Bottas, compared to the likes of Alonso, Button, Rosberg and Leclerc, he is not close to them.
But compared to teammates of drivers who actively avoid having competition on the other side of the garage, such as Barrichello and Pérez, I would rank Bottas infinitely higher. His stock probably sunk after being beaten by Zhou during their tenure at Alfa Romeo/Sauber, but it feels criminal to me that Hülkenberg continues to be in F1 and Bottas does not. (Stroll, of course, should go without saying, but inevitably, someone will ask why I put Hülkenberg in and not Stroll.)
Álex Palou
Then, for the other seat, I think many of us would like to see how an IndyCar export would do in F1, and if it were to happen, it simply must be Álex Palou. The triple series champion, who, even after just four races this season, has pretty much already guaranteed a fifth, although if it had not been for his attempt to jump to McLaren, he probably would not have all this success.Alex Palou on his way to pole position for the 2023 Indianapolis 500. Image: Zach Catanzareti on WikiMedia Commons via CC BY 2.0
Formula One was on Palou's radar for a time, but he eventually fell out with McLaren after stating he was unwilling to wait around for Norris or Piastri to "get hurt" so he could do a race. But now, a place has opened up, and if any IndyCar driver were to end up there, it should be Palou.
But then again, there is almost no chance they will be competitive in the near future, so it seems quite an easy choice, competing for IndyCar titles or at the tail end of the F1 grid. Then again, Kamui Kobayashi turned down a paid LMGTE Ferrari drive for an unpaid Caterham F1 drive, so who knows?
Who do you think will be driving for Cadillac? Let us know in the comments down below!
