Team boss heaps praise on German driver while taking a long-term approach to driver signings – It seems that the Cadillac Formula 1 project is still considering bringing Mick Schumacher back into the Grand Prix spotlight. While there’s still no commitment, Graeme Lowdon, the team boss and master of the vague compliment, has made it clear that Mick isn’t just a forgotten ex on the driver dating app, but appears to be on the cusp of a full Formula 1 return.

During an appearance on Sky Sports during the British Grand Prix weekend, Lowdon confirmed that the 26-year-old German is ‘clearly one of the drivers on the list’ for a full-time seat when Cadillac joins the grid in 2026. That list, by all indications, is long and international, and includes everyone from seasoned veterans to promising Formula 2 talents — but apparently, Schumacher Jr. is holding his own.

“Mick is a very nice guy. I like him a lot. I’ve gotten to know him better now,’ said Lowdon, who was possibly blushing behind his paddock pass.

“We like that very much,” he added, in a phrase so enthusiastic that it could become Cadillac’s new team motto.

 

Mick: young-ish, experienced-ish, and still in the running

It would be fair to say that Mick Schumacher’s F1 career to date has been more of a slow burn than a fireworks display. After a couple of rocky seasons at Haas, where the car spent more time sideways than straight, the German has been without a race seat since the end of 2022. Nevertheless, Lowdon is clearly charmed by more than just the family name.

At 26, Schumacher is still not old enough to be considered washed up in F1 terms. In fact, Lowdon was quick to emphasise that the German driver offers a good balance of youth and experience — or at least the best option available in the current market.

“He’s still very young,” said the Cadillac boss. “And he has Formula 1 experience, which is important — even though his time at Haas feels like it happened in another lifetime.”

But, perhaps most importantly for Cadillac’s American dreams of motorsport glory, Mick has remained involved in the world of F1. He has stayed involved through tests, simulator work and plenty of strategic paddock loitering. It’s this kind of commitment — some might call it persistence, while others might call it PR savvy — that has won him fans within Cadillac Racing HQ.

‘He’s kept up to date, done tests, and shown great interest in the project,’ Lowdon explained. ‘We like that very much,’ he added, just in case anyone had missed it the first time.

 

Plenty of Fish in the Paddock

Despite the clear affection for Schumacher, Cadillac isn’t rushing to celebrate just yet. Both seats for 2026 remain officially vacant, and Lowdon has warned that the list of contenders is ‘fairly long’. Whether this is a genuine abundance of riches or just a diplomatic way to avoid putting all their eggs in the Mick basket is open to interpretation.

The other names doing the rounds aren’t exactly surprising: Sergio Pérez, recently dropped by Red Bull, and Valtteri Bottas, whose career is currently in F1 limbo, are both on Cadillac’s radar. Both offer experience and marketability, and Perez also brings with him an entire nation of potential new fans. In other words, they’re safe, brand-friendly bets.

Lowdon acknowledged that the team is currently two-thirds complete in terms of personnel, while the car itself is apparently ‘on schedule’. However, don’t expect a dramatic, Netflix-style reveal of the driver line-up anytime soon. Lowdon insisted that the team’s primary focus right now is on building a functioning, competitive race car — because, as he put it, “if there’s no car, there are no drivers”.

An F1 team prioritising the machinery over the star power of its future Instagram posts? How quaint.

 

Schumacher’s silver lining

For Mick, being publicly name-dropped in such flattering terms is a win in itself. After spending most of the last two seasons in the background as Mercedes’ reserve driver, conducting the occasional test and forcing a smile in the paddock, leading a brand-new project like Cadillac could be exactly the fresh start his career needs.

It’s also worth noting that Cadillac, backed by General Motors, seems intent on doing things differently. Whether that means prioritising a driver with potential over marketing appeal remains to be seen. However, Schumacher’s pedigree, experience and apparent enthusiasm for the American venture could make him an appealing long-term investment, especially compared to another ageing journeyman or an unproven rookie with a suitcase full of sponsor cash.

 

The waiting game begins

While Cadillac fans — and Schumacher’s loyal supporters — may be eager to hear something concrete, the team’s message remains one of cautious optimism mixed with gentle corporate teasing.

Lowdon has made it clear that there are plenty of talented drivers available in the current market, which is offering a “very good position” for new entrants like Cadillac. However, as with everything else in Formula 1, nothing is guaranteed until the contract is signed, the social media announcement is made, and the first set of promotional photos with an overly patriotic fire-and-flag backdrop are posted.

Until then, all Mick can do is continue testing, keep smiling and remain “a very nice guy” — a quality that Cadillac clearly values highly.

Twice.

 

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