Cadillac F1 eyes Colton Herta but won’t compromise on pace — team keeps options open as 2026 grid decisions loom.
Mario Andretti remains closely involved in the Cadillac F1 project, a venture originally launched by the Andretti family through Andretti Global. While the team is aiming to feature an American driver on the grid, Andretti emphasized that performance will always take priority.
Speaking to ESPN, the 1978 Formula 1 World Champion echoed recent comments from Cadillac F1 team principal Graeme Lowdon:
“Yes, having an American driver is a clear goal. But we’re not going to force it if the timing isn’t right,” Andretti explained.
“Things change quickly in motorsport. By the time we’re ready to finalize our driver lineup, the situation could evolve. That’s why we’re keeping our options open.”
While the team is proud of its American roots and keen to promote homegrown talent, Andretti insists they won’t compromise on performance:
“Of course we’d love to see at least one American driver in the car — that’s been part of our vision from day one. But our primary duty is to put together the most competitive team possible. That means we can’t lock ourselves into a decision just for the sake of nationality.”
One name that continues to surface is Colton Herta. The young American has long been linked to an F1 move, and Andretti believes he has what it takes:
“I absolutely think Colton is ready,” he said. “You have to look at his background — the way he trained, the level he competed at when he was in Europe, and how strong he was when he came back to the U.S.”
Andretti compared Herta’s development to that of Lando Norris, noting that Herta spent his formative racing years in Europe before returning to the U.S. to make history:
“Michael gave him a chance early, and he became the youngest IndyCar winner at 18. There are qualities in Colton that not everyone sees, but to me, they’re the hallmarks of an F1 driver. That said, the situation is still evolving. Nothing is set in stone.”
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Andretti: US Driver Wanted, But F1 Pace Comes First
Andretti: US Driver Wanted, But F1 Pace Comes First
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