Latest news with #GraemeLowdon
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Cadillac have chosen the two F1 stars they want to sign for 2026
Team principal Graeme Lowdon is said to have settled on the two Formula 1 drivers he wants to sign for Cadillac ahead of their debut season in the sport next year Formula 1 newbies Cadillac are said to have decided which drivers they want to lead their charge on track in their debut season. The American outfit will become the sport's 11th team when it debuts next March at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix. With just one year to get everything in place, team principal Graeme Lowdon has plenty on his plate from hiring staff to setting up manufacturing processes and designing their first ever F1 car. Plus, of course, he must hire two drivers to get behind the wheel of those machines next season. During a recent podcast appearance, Lowdon offered seven names as he shed some light on the decision process. Mick Schumacher, Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, Felipe Drugovich, Frederik Vesti, Arvid Lindblad and Colton Herta were the drivers he mentioned as he discussed Cadillac's options. And it appears he has narrowed down his options further by choosing his two preferred driver options. Lowdon told Mirror Sport earlier this month that he would prefer "experienced" options and he seems to have stuck to that. Speaking on F1 TV ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, correspondent Lawrence Barretto was speaking about the situation of Bottas who is a man in demand. Back at Mercedes as a reserve this year after losing his Sauber race seat, the Finn is wanted by Alpine but also seems to be a leading candidate for Cadillac. "The more likely landing spot for him is Cadillac," said Barretto, who also revealed the name of the other driver in pole position for a seat. "I hear that they haven't got any contracts done, not even any ahead of terms, but Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas are the two drivers that they want at that team. "It's just a case of them going through the motions with it. It might be some time until we find that out. Obviously, there is still some time for that to change, but that's where we're looking I think. "That's where I think it's going, which makes sense because Valtteri could maybe use the Alpine interest to maybe get a better deal. They want experience, and those two drivers offer that in bags." Both drivers are multi-race winners throughout their long F1 careers. Bottas won 10 races over five seasons as team-mate to Lewis Hamilton during his first spell with Mercedes, while Perez is a six-time race winner himself, five with Red Bull after his maiden success while still at Racing Point. Should Cadillac end up contracting those two racers, it will be a tough pill to swallow for Zhou Guanyu. The Chinese racer, now reserve at Ferrari, is also looking for a way back onto the grid and may have been expecting to be a front-runner, given Lowdon was previously a member of his management team.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
F1 driver market flickers into life as Cadillac narrow down shortlist for 2026
Cadillac will become the first new team in F1 since 2016 next season, with Graeme Lowdon now working to finalise his driver line-up for the 2026 campaign Cadillac have identified seven drivers as potential candidates to lead them on track in their debut Formula 1 season. Next year, the American outfit will become the first fresh constructor to join the grid since Haas made their entrance back in 2016. The team is supported by a collaboration with TWG Motorsport and Andretti Global. As well as getting the outfit into shape ahead of its debut, team principal Graeme Lowdon is now working to cement his driver pairing for the upcoming campaign, with several racers' futures currently uncertain. Seven prospects, including some not presently competing in F1, have made it onto Lowdon's shortlist. He made as much clear during an appearance on the High Performance podcast, during which he openly discussed some of the names under consideration at Cadillac. Acknowledging he was contemplating handing Mick Schumacher a way back onto the F1 grid, he stated: "Yeah, we are talking to Mick." The German is hunting his first F1 race seat since 2022 when he was axed by Haas and their then-team principal Guenther Steiner. Lowdon is also eyeing Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas, who rejoined the Silver Arrows as a reserve this year. He additionally disclosed that discussions are ongoing with Max Verstappen's former Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, who has been less vocal about his plans and worked in the background to secure his return to the F1 grid. Nevertheless, the 60-year-old isn't solely focusing on seasoned competitors. He confirmed that former Formula 2 racers Felipe Drugovich and Frederik Vesti are in the running, while he also name-checked Red Bull academy driver Arvid Lindblad before conceding that it would be very difficult to pry the Brit away from their grasp. Cadillac have made it clear from the beginning that they would love to field an American driver if possible, and are still contemplating a move for IndyCar racer Colton Herta. The American took part in a two-day trial with the McLaren F1 squad in 2022, and currently races for Andretti Global with Curb Agajanian. However, he does not currently have enough points for an FIA superlicence which is required for anyone to race in F1. Currently eighth in the IndyCar standings, that finish this season would not be high enough for Herta to gain the points he needs to reach the threshold of 40. Lowdon has made a commitment to consider only those who prioritise the team over personal ambitions. He said: "Our team is there to provide a position on the pitch, for someone to prove what they can do for sure. But it's not a vehicle to kind of show the world to prove a point or whatever. "Drivers are there to prove the best they possibly can for the team, and they should be motivated for the team around them as well. I'm less keen on people who kind of want to prove a personal point."
Newsweek
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Cadillac F1 Team Boss Reveals Big Driver Names Contending for 2026 Seat
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Cadillac Formula One team principal Graeme Lowdon has revealed significant interest from drivers for racing full-time next year when the American outfit officially enters the F1 grid. 2026 also marks the year when the sport steps into a new era of regulations. Cadillac received the green light to enter F1 in March this year as the 11th team. However, the outfit had begun its preparations to enter the sport long ago, given the mountainous task of starting a new team from scratch. While Cadillac seems to be getting there in terms of hiring key resources and the development of its 2026 car, the team's driver lineup has yet to be finalized. Lowdon revealed the names of seven drivers with whom Cadillac has engaged. Cadillac F1 Team Principal Graeme Lowdon walks in the paddock during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 5, 2025 in Northampton, United Kingdom. Cadillac F1 Team Principal Graeme Lowdon walks in the paddock during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 5, 2025 in Northampton, United Perez Lowdon confirmed ongoing talks with Sergio Perez, who has been away from F1 after Red Bull parted ways with him following the 2024 season. Perez recently confirmed that he wanted to return to F1 only if a project seemed interesting to him. Lowdon's confirmation could hint at Perez's return to the premier class of motorsport, especially given the extensive experience he brings with him to a new team like Cadillac. Colton Herta Andretti's IndyCar star Colton Herta is a young talent that Cadillac has expressed interest in. However, there remains one hindrance to his potential Cadillac signing. Herta's superlicence does not have enough points for an entry into F1. When Lowdon was asked if he was considering Herta, he said: "Yeah, but again, different drivers have got different attributes and positives and also restrictions as well. In Colton's case, it's the superlicence that's the issue, but he can certainly drive a race car." Mick Schumacher Former Haas driver Mick Schumacher last raced in F1 in 2022, before becoming a Mercedes reserve driver in 2023. He remained on the sidelines for a year before racing for Alpine's World Endurance Championship team last year. However, Schumacher has expressed his keen desire to return to F1 on several occasions. Speaking about the contact with the German driver, Lowdon said: "Yeah, we are talking to Mick." Valtteri Bottas Bottas became a Mercedes reserve driver after racing for Sauber until the end of the 2024 season. The Finnish driver brings a wealth of F1 experience to the table, given his successful full-time stint with Mercedes from 2017 to 2022 alongside Lewis Hamilton. Lowdon acknowledged talks with Bottas but revealed one trait in drivers he wouldn't prefer. He said: "Yes, I know Valtteri really well. "I think they [Schumacher and Bottas] have both proved a whole bunch of things. "Everyone wants to prove something else again. I never look at that as the biggest motivator. Our team is not there as a vehicle for someone to prove a point. "Our team is there to provide a position on the pitch, if you like, for someone to prove what they can do for sure. But it's not a vehicle to kind of show the world to prove a point or whatever. "Drivers are there to prove the best they possibly can for the team and they should be motivated for the team around them as well. I'm less keen on people who kind of want to prove a personal point." Felipe Drugovich, Fred Vesti, and Arvid Lindblad Lowdon isn't limiting his options to just experienced drivers. He also named three drivers from junior racing categories who have impressed him. He said: "There are a bunch of young [drivers]. There are some really good F2 drivers, Felipe Drugovich, Fred Vesti. The list kind of goes on. "Arvid [Lindblad] is a really good guy. He has done a good job. He has Red Bull [as his backer]."
The Independent
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
The three drivers who could make F1 comeback with Cadillac
Cadillac, owned by American automotive giant General Motors, is confirmed to join Formula One as the 11th team next season, coinciding with new engine and chassis regulations. Team principal Graeme Lowdon has revealed that Cadillac is in talks with several drivers for their two F1 seats, including Mick Schumacher, Valtteri Bottas, and Sergio Perez. Lowdon emphasised that the team seeks drivers motivated by collective success rather than those looking to prove a personal point. Daniel Ricciardo is not on Cadillac's shortlist, with Lowdon stating that a driver should not need convincing to join Formula One. Cadillac, led by CEO Dan Towriss and advised by 1978 F1 world champion Mario Andretti, has less than eight months until their debut at next year's season-opener in Australia.
The Sun
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Michael Schumacher's son Mick in talks over ‘incredible' F1 return after three years
MICK SCHUMACHER has confirmed he is in talks to return to F1 with newcomers Cadillac. The son of legendary F1 driver Michael Schumacher could make a comeback next season having not raced in the sport since leaving Haas in 2022. 1 He has also been a reserve driver for both Mercedes and McLaren - but was replaced by Valtteri Bottas as Merc driver at the end of last season. New General Motors-backed team Cadillac will be on the grid for the first time from 2026 and are finalising their line-up. The 26-year-old said: "Yes, of course, discussions are ongoing. The communication has been very positive so far. "They've already hired a fantastic number of people for it [the project]. It's an honour to be part of it, to negotiate with them, and a great position to be in." Ex-Red Bull driver Sergio Perez and Bottas are thought to be the favourites for the two Cadillac seats. But team boss Graeme Lowdon remains a huge admirer of Schumacher - who currently drives in the World Endurance Championship with Alpine. During him time in F1, Schumacher started 43 races. His best placing was a sixth place finish, while he only finished in the points twice. Lowdon has also confirmed that "positive" discussions with Schumacher had taken place while on the High Performance podcast. He said: "Yeah, we're talking to Mick." He also added on Sky Deutschland: "Mick is great. He's a very nice guy, I like him a lot. I've got to know him better now. "He's still young, but he already has F1 experience. Of course, that was a while ago, but he's kept himself up to date. "We really like that. We really like that. He is no stranger to the team. He knows where we stand. There are some positive things to say about Mick. "He is clearly one of the drivers on the list. But I should also say that the list is quite long." Lowdon has also previously confirmed that talks with Bottas have taken place. The Cadillac boss wants the team to make a statement in their first year and not just make up the numbers. He said: "Everyone wants to prove something else again. I never look at that as the biggest motivator. "Our team is not there as a vehicle for someone to prove a point. Our team is there to provide a position on the pitch, if you like. "For someone to prove what they can do for sure, but it's not the vehicle to show the world, prove a point, or whatever. "The driver is there to do the best that they possibly can for their team, and they should be motivated for the team around them as well. So, I'm less keen on people who kind of want to prove a personal point." When asked about the prospect of Perez joining the cause, Lowdon did not rule it out. He added: "Every single person, every name that you're going to read out, we're talking to everyone because everyone wants the drive."
