F1 News & Gossip

Mercedes star named in ideal Cadillac F1 driver lineup

Kevin McKenna Tuesday 13 May 2025 21:53

A Mercedes star has been backed to secure one of two coveted seats at Cadillac next season.

The American outfit are set to make their debut on the Formula 1 grid in 2026, and in doing so, will become the 11th team in the competition.

Preparations are well under way behind the scenes to ensure the team are ready to make an immediate impact, but arguably the most important pieces of the puzzle - the drivers - have yet to be found.

Now, former Haas chief Guenther Steiner has issued his verdict on the men he believes should be given the opportunity.

Steiner backs Bottas for 2026 seat

"If I were Cadillac, I would look at experienced drivers," Steiner said in an interview with F1 Explains.

"In a young team, it’s wise to bet on experienced drivers, people who can get the team going faster than, say, rookies.

"The ideal lineup for me is Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez. I would bring those two in."

Bottas spent five years alongside Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, before making the switch to Sauber in 2022.

He was axed by the team - which will transition to Audi next year - during the off-season, but was offered the chance to return to the Silver Arrows as a reserve driver for 2025.

Perez, meanwhile, has been repeatedly linked with the F1 newcomers after being recently ditched by Red Bull following a dismal campaign last time out.

Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon has previously hinted that he would ideally like one of the spots to be filled by an American driver, with IndyCar star Colton Herta firmly in the running.

F1 HEADLINES: Lewis Hamilton UNFOLLOWS Ferrari as British legend 'running out of time'

Mercedes Formula 1 Sergio Perez Haas Valtteri Bottas Guenther Steiner

Latest News

Austrian Grand Prix

Norris soaked by McLaren F1 boss in Austrian GP slip-up

Yesterday 22:56

Max Verstappen

Italian F1 icon BACKS Britain in Max Verstappen row after 'whinging' champions claim

Yesterday 22:13
1

Latest F1 News

New FIA penalty guidelines show how Max Verstappen would have been handed F1 BAN

Yesterday 21:28

Mercedes

Russell pushes Mercedes for Verstappen decision as contract talks drag on

Yesterday 20:43

Austrian Grand Prix

FIA announce Lewis Hamilton punishment verdict at Austrian Grand Prix

Yesterday 19:55

Austrian Grand Prix

Max Verstappen retaliates after awkward F1 Austrian Grand Prix mix-up

Yesterday 19:12

More news

FIA announce Charles Leclerc disqualification verdict ahead of Canadian Grand Prix

12 june

200.000+ views

FIA announce George Russell punishment verdict at Canadian Grand Prix

14 june

150.000+ views

FIA announce harsh McLaren penalty verdict after Oscar Piastri incident at Canadian GP

14 june

150.000+ views

Mercedes F1 star hit by FIA deleted lap ruling after Canadian Grand Prix

16 june

75.000+ views

FIA confirm 70-PLACE grid penalty ruling at Canadian Grand Prix

15 june

75.000+ views

F1 team announce famous RETURN after 39 years

19 june

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY