Cadillac Stays Quiet on 2027 Formula 1 Driver Lineup
Team principal Marcin Budkowski declined to confirm drivers as Colton Herta eyes a potential seat.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Motorsports
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Cadillac team principal Marcin Budkowski has declined to confirm the team's driver lineup for the 2027 Formula 1 season. The statement comes as IndyCar driver Colton Herta pursues a seat and nears the necessary credentials for competition.
Why it matters
The team's official silence leaves questions regarding the future of current drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas. Meanwhile, Colton Herta is actively working to secure a spot on the grid for the upcoming 2027 campaign.
Colton Herta requires one more point to reach the 40-point Super License threshold for F1 eligibility. He recently completed an FP1 appearance at the Circuit of the Americas to further his prospects.
The players
Marcin Budkowski
He serves as the team principal for Cadillac and is responsible for managing the team's driver market strategy.
Colton Herta
He is an American racing driver currently competing in IndyCar who is seeking to secure a full-time seat in Formula 1.
Dan Towriss
He is the CEO of Cadillac who has publicly indicated an interest in securing a race seat for Colton Herta.
Sergio Perez
He is a veteran Formula 1 driver who currently serves as one of the two drivers for the Cadillac team.
Valtteri Bottas
He is a former race winner and current driver for the Cadillac Formula 1 team.
The details
Team CEO Dan Towriss has expressed a desire to provide Colton Herta with a race seat in the near future. Marcin Budkowski is currently managing inquiries from various drivers and their representatives as the team evaluates its roster.
Timeline
Marcin Budkowski spoke at the United States Grand Prix on October 23, 2026.
The 2027 Formula 1 season is the target year for the potential lineup.
Season Trajectory
The team's current evaluation process is constrained by the FIA Super License points system, which mandates specific performance benchmarks for prospective drivers. This creates a bottleneck that dictates how Cadillac must navigate its 2027 lineup decisions against the existing talent pool.
The team's lack of confirmation creates uncertainty for fans following the potential displacement of Sergio Perez or Valtteri Bottas. Colton Herta's eligibility remains the primary variable in determining the final composition of the 2027 roster.
The takeaway
Securing a seat in Formula 1 requires a rigorous adherence to licensing benchmarks rather than purely competitive performance. Drivers seeking to enter the series must navigate both the team's internal personnel decisions and the formal governing requirements of the FIA.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments on the grid by visiting the Motorsports section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by RACER.
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