In 2026, General Motors is set to debut as the eleventh team in Formula 1. Through its subsidiary Cadillac, the American automotive giant has claimed a spot in the premier class. A new team also means a new opportunity for all the racing talent eagerly seeking a seat. However, General Motors is primarily interested in signing American drivers.
Advisor and board member Mario Andretti has already found at least one candidate to debut for General Motors in 2026; the 24-year-old Colton Herta. Herta currently races in the IndyCar for Andretti Global, the racing team of Michael Andretti, Mario’s son. He was previously linked to a seat at AlphaTauri and also holds an American passport. This is undoubtedly good news for potential sponsors and the top brass at General Motors.
“We have one more year, so we’re keeping our options open,” Andretti senior recently told GPBlog. “That being said, I am – because of his experience – a proponent of Colton (Herta, ed.). I mean, he raced alongside Lando Norris at a young age, a peer who is now prominently present in Formula 1. So, he certainly knows what racing is. He also lived in Europe for three years and has a good feel for the circuits. Last year, he drove a very successful test for McLaren. It’s very interesting to see what he can do in a Formula 1 car.
Familiar Faces
Given that General Motors has no experience in Formula 1, it’s not unthinkable that they might opt for seasoned drivers. In 2025, no less than four rookies will join the sport. Consequently, we will also bid farewell to a lot of racing talent, including veterans Valtteri Bottas and Kevin Magnussen. Moreover, fan favorite Daniel Ricciardo was already sacrificed in the run-up to the United States Grand Prix. These are big names with years of experience in the premier class, making them interesting candidates for General Motors.
Another option is Mick Schumacher. The German driver only raced two seasons in the premier class before he was sidelined in 2023. However, since then, he has been working hard on a comeback. A return with Alpine seemed inevitable until the French team promoted reserve driver Jack Doohan instead. The youngest Schumacher has the necessary experience, but at 25 years old, he also offers future potential. Could a collaboration with General Motors be his salvation? Only time will tell.
