Cadillac is set to join Formula 1 in 2026, as announced last week. The goal of the American racing team is to do so with ‘at least one’ American driver. Jak Crawford senses an opportunity and indicates that he would ‘one hundred percent’ seize it, should it arise.
The FOM and the FIA announced last week, precisely on Friday, March 7, that Cadillac is officially allowed to join Formula 1 as the eleventh team on the grid. With the arrival of a new team, two new seats are also included. After this joyful news, Cadillac advisor Mario Andretti, the last American to ever win a Formula 1 title, emphasized the importance of American input to Sky Sports. “Yes, it is absolutely our goal to attract at least one American,” he stated. “That’s what this whole program started with. We want to start with an American driver, supplemented with a very experienced driver of any nationality.”
Open Application
The name of American IndyCar driver Colton Herta has been dropped several times, notably by Andretti himself. Jak Crawford, another American who is part of Aston Martin’s training program, applies for a seat with the American racing team in an interview with The F2 Show. “I’m ready, I’m ready,” he repeats. “If the opportunity arises, I would seize it, one hundred percent. Of course, I would love to race in Formula 1,” he adds.
The confirmation that Cadillac will join the premier class of motorsport in 2026 certainly excites the 19-year-old Formula 2 driver. “It’s amazing to see. Of course, we had Haas before, but now it feels even more American with Cadillac, which is great to see,” he exclaims with joy.
Experienced Driver
Last season, Crawford, as the highest-ranked American, finished fifth in the Formula 2 championship. Now, he is on the eve of his third season in Formula 2, the most important stepping stone to Formula 1. He will immediately attract attention if he wins the Formula 2 title, but he faces competition from, among others, Red Bull junior Arvid Lindblad and Alpine junior Gabriele Mini.
Based on Andretti’s words, should it come to that and Cadillac decide to offer him a place in Formula 1, Crawford will be accompanied by an experienced driver. In this context, Cadillac had three options on the market last season. Ten-time Grand Prix winner Valtteri Bottas lost his seat at Sauber, eight-time Grand Prix winner Daniel Ricciardo at Racing Bulls, and six-time Grand Prix winner Sergio Pérez at Red Bull. Andretti did not comment on candidates, but expressed his delight at the progress. “I’m thrilled. We have a great team with a lot of energy.”
