Cadillac Plans Entry as F1's 11th Team for 2026

George Russell's future at Mercedes is uncertain as his contract ends this season, leading to speculation about his replacement with Max Verstappen and potential interest from the new F1 team, Cadillac. Cadillac, which will join the F1 grid in 2026, is fully committed to building a competitive team and car from scratch, with extensive preparations underway. The team aims to have an American driver, with Colton Herta being a strong candidate despite challenges with the superlicense points system. Cadillac's management, including team principal Graeme Lowdon, is focused on ensuring competitiveness by 2026 and has made key hirings, including Russ O’Blenes as CEO of TWG GM Performance Power Units. The team might pair an experienced driver with an up-and-coming American talent, potentially considering current F1 drivers like Valtteri Bottas for their lineup. As Cadillac prepares for its debut, the driver market is abuzz with potential candidates, with the team expected to finalize its lineup by mid-2025.