Cadillac’s entry into Formula 1 for the 2026 season has intensified speculation about who will fill their two available race seats. Among the potential candidates, Mick Schumacher has emerged as a strong contender, with former Haas boss Guenther Steiner surprisingly backing the German driver. Although Schumacher has been absent from the F1 grid for three seasons, his recent roles with Mercedes and participation in the World Endurance Championship have kept him active and in touch with the sport’s demands. Cadillac, supported by General Motors, is aiming to make a bold debut, and the team is carefully evaluating its options.
Cadillac’s shortlist reportedly includes several experienced drivers like Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas, Guanyu Zhou, and Alpine reserve Jack Doohan. While rumors linked Perez to the team earlier this month, no official decision has been made. Bottas even teased fans with a social media post hinting at a possible connection to Cadillac, and Zhou’s name continues to circulate. Jack Doohan has also entered the conversation, adding to the growing pool of candidates. With so many drivers in contention, the final lineup remains undecided, but experience is clearly a top priority.
Interestingly, Mick Schumacher’s inclusion on the list has been confirmed by Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon. Despite his hiatus from racing, Schumacher’s familiarity with F1 operations through his Mercedes reserve role and prior racing experience gives him a solid foundation. Lowdon praised Schumacher as a young but seasoned driver, familiar with the sport and capable of contributing positively to the new team’s growth. He emphasized that while Schumacher is a serious candidate, the competition for the seats remains fierce.
Steiner’s endorsement of Schumacher comes as a surprise, given his previous harsh criticisms of the driver during their time at Haas. Steiner was once openly skeptical of Schumacher’s value to the team, citing crashes and performance issues. However, he now believes the young driver has matured and learned a great deal during his time with Mercedes. Steiner highlighted Schumacher’s work ethic and exposure to elite team dynamics as key assets that could benefit Cadillac as they build their foundation in F1.
Steiner went on to suggest that Schumacher, alongside Bottas, would be an ideal pairing for Cadillac, given their shared background with Mercedes. He dismissed the idea of selecting a rookie American driver due to the high risk involved, favoring proven experience instead. According to Steiner, the strongest contenders for the Cadillac seats are Schumacher, Bottas, Perez, and Zhou. As Cadillac prepares to make its highly anticipated debut in 2026, the team is focused on building a driver lineup that balances experience, adaptability, and a deep understanding of modern Formula 1.
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