Cadillac have not abandoned their ambition to field an American driver when they enter Formula 1 in 2026, with Jak Crawford emerging as a potential candidate. The US-based outfit, set to become the sport's 11th team, has been prioritising experienced drivers like Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez, but has also held talks with the 20-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina.
Crawford, currently third in the Formula 2 championship, is an Aston Martin junior driver but has no path to a race seat with that team for 2026, as Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are already contracted. Speaking to Motorsport.com, Crawford confirmed discussions with Cadillac: 'We're trying to find any space on the grid, whether it's with Cadillac or Aston Martin or some other teams. There have been talks, I've been talking, but it's very slow at the moment.'
The American driver acknowledged that his main focus is on performing well in F2, as he cannot compete with the experience of Bottas and Perez. 'From my side, I just need to do a good job in Formula 2. There's nothing I can do to compete with the experience of Bottas and Perez. Actually, the only thing I can do is do well in F2. Other than that, I can't really do anything else,' he said.
Cadillac's original American front-runner, IndyCar driver Colton Herta, does not currently qualify for an FIA superlicence, leaving the door open for Crawford. Team principal Graeme Lowdon recently named seven drivers under consideration, with Bottas and Perez emerging as preferred choices, but no contracts have been signed yet.
