Top 3 IndyCar drivers Cadillac might shortlist for its 2026 F1 seats

Cadillac’s entry in F1 was approved by F1 for the 2026 season. The American manufacturer will be backed by General Motors and Andretti, whose F1 bid was rejected by the F1 management earlier this year. Cadillac’s entry will lead to two more seats becoming available for the 2026 season. With Andretti backing the program, there’s a high chance for an IndyCar driver to step into the F1 seat. Let’s have a look at the Top 3 IndyCar drivers that Cadillac might shortlist for the F1 drive.

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#3 Alex Palou

The current IndyCar champion has always expressed his desire to race in F1. In 2022, Palou stated his wish to move to Arrow McLaren and become McLaren’s F1 team’s reserve driver. However, he was bound by his contract and raced for CGR in 2022. He test-drove the 2023 McLaren and was about to make the move before backing out at the last moment.

AUTO: JUN 23 NTT IndyCar Series Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey - Source: Getty

Palou has since then won the 2024 IndyCar championship and his desire to make the F1 move has somewhat subsided. The CGR driver said (via The Race):

“It's not a secret that I did a lot of stuff to try to get into F1 in the past that didn't help in my career in IndyCar, and that created a lot of drama around my name and my team.”

He continued “Honestly, I'm super privileged to, not only almost have had a chance to go there, but, like, have been able to win championships while I was trying to get into F1.”

The current IndyCar champion reportedly has a get-out clause in his contract. Given Alex Palou's IndyCar form, his previous F1 links, and the fact that the Spaniard has enough points for a super license, Cadillac will definitely be considering Palou.

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#2 Pato O'Ward

The Mexican currently drives for Arrow McLaren but also serves as the reserve driver for McLaren's F1 team. Pato O’Ward has stated his wish to make the move to F1. However, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri signing long-term contracts with McLaren, a seat at the Woking-based team in the near future seems unlikely.

F1 Grand Prix of Mexico - Qualifying - Source: Getty

The McLaren reserve driver role requires O’Ward to work in the F1 simulator which boosts his chances of getting up to speed in F1 quicker than others on IndyCar. The Spaniard also took part in an F1 practice session at the 2024 Mexico City GP. Cadillac is likely to consider the 25-year-old for the seat. However, O’Ward currently doesn't have enough points for a super license.

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#1 Colton Herta

The Andretti driver is definitely among the top choices for Cadillac when it comes to an F1 seat. Herta was linked to Andretti's F1 seat before the F1 management rejected its bid for entry. Andretti Global altered Herta's contract in 2023 as it prepared the American for a drive in the F1 team.

AUTO: AUG 27 INDYCAR Bommarito Automotive Group 500 - Source: Getty

Marshall Pruett, in his podcast’s latest episode, said:

“Colton received a paddock-altering new contract a year ago, paying him more than double of what anybody else was receiving. This was all being done not just to hold on to him. This was at the time when the Andretti Global F1 folks and program really were confident that they were going to make it into F1 and wanted to retain Colton, their hot young driver to be their lead. So they paid him basically like an F1 driver. So that's the thing I come back on Colton’s side.” (20:20 onwards)

The only issue with Herta is that he doesn't have enough super license points. He's currently on 32 points and requires 40 for a super license. Colton Herta will need a fourth or higher finish in the 2025 IndyCar standings to get enough super license points for an F1 seat, possibly at Cadillac.