Driver Market Heats Up: Alpine & Cadillac Seats Remain Open for 2026
Breaking: The Formula 1 driver market is intensifying as teams Alpine and Cadillac finalize their 2026 lineups.While Pierre Gasly has a confirmed contract with Alpine through 2026, his teammate remains undecided, and Cadillac is evaluating a diverse range of candidates for its all-new entry.
Alpine’s 2026 Options:
Alpine’s current focus is on evaluating the performance of Franco Colapinto, who currently drives for the team and is contracted through the 2025 season. Despite participating in eight races, Colapinto has yet to score any championship points, but is gaining experience after transitioning from Williams.However, Colapinto’s position isn’t secure. Several drivers are vying for the seat alongside Gasly:
Valtteri Bottas: The experienced Finnish driver, currently a reserve for Mercedes, is actively exploring a return to full-time racing with either alpine or the new Cadillac F1 team. Discussions between Bottas and Alpine team principal Bruno Famin have reportedly taken place.
Paul Aron: The Alpine reserve driver is eager for a promotion to a race seat in 2026.
Sergio Perez: The Red Bull racing driver has also been linked to Alpine as a potential teammate for Gasly.
Leonardo Fornaroli: Currently leading the Formula 2 Championship, Fornaroli is in discussions regarding a potential F1 debut with Alpine.
Hager and Lawson: Both drivers need to continue performing well in Formula 1 to be considered.Alpine will make a decision by the end of the year, with four remaining F2 races offering opportunities for contenders to strengthen their case. The current lineup still has the opportunity to appeal to F1.
Cadillac’s Inaugural Lineup:
Cadillac, entering F1 in 2026 in partnership with Andretti Global, has a wide range of drivers under consideration. Team representative Graham Lodon has stated they’ve been contacted by a “rather long list” of drivers, both currently active and aspiring to join the sport.
Key candidates include:
Valtteri Bottas: Also a target for Alpine, Bottas is a strong contender for a Cadillac seat, bringing critically important experience.
Zhou Guanyu: Currently racing for Sauber, Zhou is being considered for his racecraft and potential.
Mick Schumacher: The former Haas driver is seeking a return to a full-time F1 seat.
Sergio Perez: Like with Alpine, Perez is also on Cadillac’s radar.
Jack Crawford: An American Formula 2 driver, Crawford offers a potential home-grown talent for the American team.
* alex Dunne: A McLaren Junior driver, dunne is performing well in his rookie F2 season and is being evaluated for a potential promotion.
Cadillac is weighing various strategies for its first season, including pairing experienced drivers with young talent, fielding an all-experienced lineup, or taking a risk on two promising rookies. The decision will be crucial in establishing the team’s competitiveness from the outset.
