Andretti: Cadillac's American driver dream may need to wait

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Read also: Cadillac F1 director and motorsport icon Mario Andretti says there is no certainty that Formula 1's new team will have a homegrown American talent in its lineup from the outset in 2026.

The goal of placing an American-born driver on the grid was a cornerstone of the Andretti family's initial bid to enter Formula 1, led at the time by Mario's son and successful team owner Michael Andretti.

However, speaking candidly about the team's driver selection process, the 1978 F1 world champion acknowledged that while securing an American driver remains a priority, it may not be immediately feasible.

"Times fluctuate and times change to some degree. From now to the start of the final plan, some things could change. That's why I am telling you we are keeping our options open," Andretti told ESPN.

"Again, we would like to have at least one American driver, that is the objective. If it comes immediately that is good, if not we will always be looking for that."

The Challenges of Finding the Right Candidate

One of the biggest obstacles facing Cadillac's American driver ambitions is the strict FIA Super Licence system.

"There is not too much choice in America because of licensing and everything else," Andretti admitted.

To be eligible for a Formula 1 seat, drivers must accumulate enough points across various racing series.

While some U.S. drivers have excelled in IndyCar and other series, their pathways to F1 remain restricted due to the FIA's scoring system, which disproportionately rewards European junior categories.

Cadillac's Priority: Competitiveness First

Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the prospect of an American driver, Andretti emphasized that Cadillac's primary responsibility is to field the most competitive lineup possible.

"The team has the responsibility to try to put together the most competitive situation possible as far as the drivers are concerned, so that's a huge responsibility there as well," he added, echoing team principal Graham Lowdon's pragmatic stance on the issue.

"That's why Graham Lowdon is correct - we can't be saying [there] absolutely has to be an American driver. It's what we would like to see, it may happen or it may not."

With the clock ticking toward 2026, Cadillac may need to look beyond U.S. borders.

Herta's Hopes in the Balance

Colton Herta, the talented IndyCar driver and long-time favorite of the Andretti family, remains one of the most viable American candidates for an F1 seat. At 25, the nine-time IndyCar winner has so far had an impressive career in the series.

Yet, Herta currently holds only 32 Super Licence points and would need a top-five finish in the 2025 IndyCar season to secure the required 40 points.

When asked about the 25-year-old's readiness for Formula 1, Andretti was clear in his assessment.

"I think so because you got to look at where and how he trained, and how good he was immediately when he came back to the States," he explained.

"Sometimes you cannot judge a driver in a specific season because of the functions of the team and so forth but basically, he trained just like Lando Norris when he was going through Formula 3, Formula 2 and in the early stages of his career.

"As a teenager, he was living in Europe and the first really top-level racing was when he came to America.

"Obviously, Michael [Andretti] promoted him to the top level and he is still the youngest driver to win an IndyCar race at age 18.

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"There are some qualities that a lot of people don't see that I see that I think are qualities of a Formula 1 driver and I see that in Colton.

"But the situation is still fluid there, it's still open."

With the likes of Herta still fighting to meet F1's eligibility criteria, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether Cadillac can fulfill its ambition of fielding an American star.

Until then, as Mario puts it, "the situation is still fluid," and the door remains open for all possibilities.

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