Former Formula One champion Jacques Villeneuve has opened up on the uncertainty surrounding the Cadillac F1 team‘s driver lineup and its approach to racing in 2026.
Cadillac F1’s initial bid, which was led by Andretti Global, was rejected on financial grounds. However, with an increased participation of General Motors and a new management owned and operated by TWG Global, the bid was approved for Cadillac F1 to become the sport’s eleventh team in 2026.
However, with just ten rounds remaining for the conclusion of the 2025 season, the American outfit has yet to announce its driver lineup. Cadillac F1 reportedly prefers experienced drivers and is said to have shortlisted Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas. But with an announcement yet to be made, the picture seems uncertain.
Cadillac F1 has partnered with Ferrari to procure its power units from 2026 until it fields its own power units in 2029. However, Villeneuve has raised questions, especially with Michael Andretti having moved out of the way, since the team is yet to establish itself. This is unlike Audi, which concluded its takeover of the Sauber F1 team, and the results are already showing in Sauber’s performance. Speaking to RacingNews365, he said:
“Who knows what’s going on there. It’s not the same team as a year ago. The whole project has changed, and the way it came in, forcefully, is not the best way either, but at least now they’re in, fine.
“The question is, what will they do? What drivers will they choose? Who do they put in place?”
Highlighting the improvements in Sauber’s pace this season, Villeneuve added:
“When you look at what Sauber has done, with Audi coming in, [with] Jonathan Wheatley, you already see the results now, even though it’s the same car. Just the way the energy, the working… So you can expect great things there.
“We don’t know with Cadillac yet. They say they want experienced drivers, right? But you want good, experienced drivers…The other thing, we have no idea which engine will be good, that’s a big… Well, okay, we’ll find out.”
The 1997 F1 champion emphasized that Cadillac F1 will have to sign a big paycheck if it wants to hire a good racing driver. He said:
“Depends on how much money they put on the table. Because you want to get one of those drivers [a pure racer], you’re a new team, you need to put [down] a big cheque.
“But with the value of F1 now, the big cheque is nothing. It’s peanuts compared to what it used to be.”
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