Cadillac’s F1 ambitions take shape, but not with O’Ward, at least for now – As Cadillac ramps up its preparations for a Formula One debut in 2026, the American outfit is actively evaluating driver options for its inaugural grid. Backed by General Motors and expected to bring a distinctly American flavour to the F1 paddock, Cadillac’s entry has sparked curiosity as to which drivers could make the cut.
However, one prominent name linked with the new team – Mexican IndyCar star Pato O’ward – seems uninterested in abandoning his current career path for the Detroit-based project. In fact, not only has O’Ward shot down rumours linking him to Cadillac, he’s openly admitted that the speculation is a joke, dismissing any notion that he’s in serious talks with the team or GM executives.
From IndyCar to F1? O’Ward shrugs off the idea
The speculation gained traction after a video was released by Australian Formula One photographer Kym Illman in which O’Ward was asked directly if he would leave his IndyCar position for a Formula One opportunity. His answer was clear and unhesitating.
“I’d stay where I am,” said O’Ward in no uncertain terms.
O’Ward’s position was only slightly tempered by the caveat that if the offer came from one of F1’s elite teams – namely Red Bull, Ferrari or McLaren – he would consider it. “That’s why you go to F1,” he remarked.
But when it comes to Cadillac, or any other newcomer without an established F1 pedigree, O’Ward seems utterly unmoved. While he admits that being part of a team with two Mexican drivers would be historic and exciting for his home country, the idea remains firmly in the realm of fantasy for now.
McLaren connection cements O’Ward’s present – and possibly future
O’Ward may be laughing off the speculation, but his F1 connection isn’t completely out of the question. The 26-year-old is embedded in McLaren’s racing structure. As a full-time IndyCar driver for Arrow McLaren, he’s also been tapped as a reserve F1 driver. This dual role has led to some high-profile opportunities.
Last year he took part in a practice session at the Mexican Grand Prix, driving in front of a passionate home crowd. He has also been given test opportunities in the McLaren F1 car, replacing Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri at various times. He is set to return to an F1 cockpit later this season for another free practice session ahead of the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix.
So while he may not be driving a Cadillac or actively campaigning for a full-time seat in F1, O’Ward remains within touching distance of the sport’s pinnacle – on McLaren’s terms, that is.
Stirring the pot – with a smile
Adding to the intrigue, O’Ward recently confessed that he deliberately stirred up the Cadillac rumours just to “have a bit of fun”.
“Everybody says to me, ‘You and Checo to Cadillac! And then I said to myself, ‘I’m going to add some fuel to the fire and make fun of them,'” O’Ward revealed in another clip shared by Illman.
He then went on to clarify that the comments he made in April about considering Cadillac weren’t meant to be taken seriously. “There was no contact. I was just having a bit of fun,” he said, laughing off the gossip.
While O’Ward is keen to point out that no discussions with Cadillac have taken place, his comments haven’t gone unnoticed. They reflect a confident driver, happy with his current role and not afraid to poke fun at the relentless rumour mill that surrounds both IndyCar and Formula 1.
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Who will Cadillac choose instead?
With O’Ward out of the equation – at least for now – Cadillac will have to look elsewhere as it evaluates candidates for its 2026 launch. The list of potential drivers reportedly includes several names familiar to F1 fans, with varying degrees of experience and marketability.
One of the most high-profile options is former Red Bull driver Sergio Perez.
Having been released by Red Bull at the end of the 2024 season, Perez remains a free agent with plenty of experience and enduring popularity, particularly in North and Latin America.
Other names in the mix include Alfa Romeo alumni Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, both of whom are expected to be available after 2025 if they don’t sign with other teams. Mick Schumacher, son of the legendary Michael Schumacher and currently a Mercedes test and reserve driver, is also said to be on Cadillac’s radar.
American talent Colton Herta is also said to be attracting interest. The Californian, who competes in IndyCar alongside O’Ward, has been linked with a move to F1 on several occasions in recent years, but has yet to secure a super-licence or a full-time opportunity.
National pride, but no national bias
Interestingly, the idea of an all-Mexican line-up, while appealing from a marketing perspective, doesn’t seem to be influencing Cadillac’s strategic thinking – at least not overtly. The possibility of Perez and O’Ward teaming up would undoubtedly create a buzz and boost appeal in the Mexican market. But with O’Ward out of the running, Cadillac will have to weigh Perez’s viability against a field of more conventional or already European-based candidates.
Still, O’Ward reflected on how powerful such a combination could be: “It would be historic for the country,” he said. His current tone, however, suggests that this historic pairing isn’t something he personally aspires to.
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The bigger picture for O’Ward
O’Ward’s stance raises an interesting point about the changing dynamics between IndyCar and F1. Traditionally, F1 has been seen as the ultimate goal for drivers around the world. But for stars like O’Ward, who have already established themselves as frontrunners in IndyCar and have the security of a contract and competitive equipment, the lure of joining a start-up F1 team may not outweigh the benefits of staying where they are.
His loyalty to McLaren is also a factor. As a member of a single organisation that spans both IndyCar and F1, O’Ward enjoys a unique position that allows him to sample the best of both worlds without committing fully to the European circuit. That freedom – and the visibility it brings – may be more attractive than a risky move to an unproven F1 team.
Looking ahead
Pato O’Ward may have laughed off the Cadillac speculation for now, but his career will continue to keep him on the radar. Whether through continued testing with McLaren or future shifts in the driver market, his path could still lead to F1 in the right circumstances.
Cadillac, meanwhile, faces a critical decision in the coming months as it forges its identity not just as a constructor but as a competitor in the world’s most demanding racing series. With a pool of talented and experienced drivers at its disposal, the team’s choice of line-up could set the tone for how seriously it will be taken when the lights go out in 2026.
For now, one thing is clear: Pato O’Ward is staying put – and having fun.
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The title is a bit misleading since Pato O’Ward is the one rejecting them rather than the other way around.
Nevertheless, his motive of only accepting an offer from a top team rather than switching series only to make up numbers is totally understandable in his career situation, so if he were a dark horse for a Cadillac drive, he certainly isn’t one anymore in any case.