A growing list of drivers has surfaced as potential options for the two race seats at Formula 1's newest team, Cadillac, set to join the grid in 2026.
Colton Herta, currently competing for Andretti in Indycar, remains the standout favourite for one of the cockpits, aligning with the team's keen interest in featuring an American driver.
His challenge, however, lies in securing enough points for an FIA super licence.
"If that remains the case then it will clearly be a barrier for him," said Cadillac team boss Graeme Lowdon, who previously led the now-defunct Virgin-Manor outfit.
Logan Sargeant, another American, already possesses the required F1 qualification. Yet, after losing his Williams seat mid-2024 and withdrawing from a planned 2025 sportscar drive, he appears distant from the frame.
"As far as I know," Lowdon said, "Logan is no longer involved in motorsport. He's American, but no, we haven't had any discussions with him."
Sergio Perez, while not American, offers a Latin American presence and significant financial support through his Mexican sponsors and ties.
The former Red Bull driver's father, politician Antonio Perez Garibay, told Mexican television on Monday: "Sergio is preparing something big and important for the Mexican fans - they will be very happy and proud, and I hope it will last for many years.
"Sergio is looking forward to returning to become a champion, because that is the only thing he is missing."
Valtteri Bottas is also on the hunt for a race seat, alongside his 2024 Sauber teammate Guanyu Zhou. The Chinese driver benefits from ties to Cadillac's 2026 engine supplier Ferrari and a personal connection with Lowdon, who manages him.
"There is no preference in any direction, either for him or for any other driver," the British team boss stressed. "We are here to do a job, so we will choose drivers based on merit.
"There are some very good ones available, including Zhou."
Lowdon expects to engage in discussions with "a lot" of "very talented" drivers who have prior Formula 1 experience but are currently without a seat.
"My phone is definitely busy," he said with a smile. "There are easily half a dozen candidates, if not more, who have extremely good credentials to be in Formula 1 or to end up back there."
Daniel Ricciardo has recently stated he is "done" with F1, but Mick Schumacher remains eager to return to the grid.
"It's a bit too early to go into too much more detail because we're only now in a position to have meaningful discussions," Lowdon noted.
