With the announcement of Cadillac getting the long awaited approval to join Formula 1 in 2026 - let's talk about the American IndyCar drivers who may join the F1 team as their American driver.

This is all predicated on the assumption that the team would still want to push an American driver as one of their drivers. Obviously, with ownership changes within Andretti Global, things may have changed, but...until we know more, let's assume nothing's changed on their intention here.

Colton Herta - The most obvious and most LIKELY one here. Hyped by Michael and Mario to be the next best thing since sliced bread - Colton Herta is the #1 man at the Andretti Global IndyCar team. After a couple of years of languishing at the bottom half of the Top 10 - Colton had a statement year coming in 2nd in the IndyCar championship this past season, and looks to build upon a strong season. Beyond that, Herta's main sponsor on his car - Gainbridge - happens to be his new boss' company as well, so if Colton can get enough SL points this season (I think he has to place 5th or higher) - I think Colton is the one most likely to drive for Cadillac F1 in 2026.

Kyle Kirkwood - Colton's current teammate at Andretti Global. Has shown that he has the speed, but maybe not necessarily as impressive as Colton. The fact that he's also a couple of years older than Colton might work against him too. I'd have to do the math, but I imagine Kyle is even further away from SL points than Colton is.

Josef Newgarden - Not necessarily an obvious choice, but an interesting one. Prior to resigning with Penske - there were some rumblings about Andretti trying to sign Josef earlier this year. When the rumor came out, I thought Andretti were keen on signing him as a backup in case Colton didn't get the SL points and they got approved for F1. He has the pedigree, he has the skills, he has the Super License points - but does he have the strength to deal with the circus of Formula 1? Given that he had quit Bus Bros because he wanted to focus on winning this past season, and he has a young family - the grind of Formula 1 and all the non-racing related fluff that Formula 1 drivers have to do might not be up his alley. Still, I'd be interested in seeing Josef race in Formula 1.

Alexander Rossi - He has the experience in Formula 1, and he has the Andretti Global connection - Alexander Rossi is probably a longshot, but have to throw his name out there all the same. He's mentioned prior in a podcast that he would never go back to Formula 1 - except for Michael Andretti. Well Michael's not at Andretti anymore, but maybe he would still consider it given his connection with the team. It has been said previously that Andretti would want an experienced F1 driver to go alongside their American driver, but Rossi is both experienced AND American - so they could kill two birds with one stone with Rossi and sign a hotshot international rookie for their second driver instead.

Santino Ferrucci - You hate him, you love him he's SANTINOOOOOO FERRUCCI. I just added him for the lolz, but to his point, he is familiar with a lot of European tracks having spent a good portion of his career going up the European ladder. He's also somewhat familiar with Formula 1 - having been a test driver for Haas.

Not American - But Interesting Choices from IndyCar

Pato O'Ward - Arguably the most popular driver on the IndyCar field right now, and he has a decent following in Mexico as well. Currently signed for McLaren's IndyCar efforts, and is also a reserve driver for their F1 side - but realistically - his chances of competing in F1 under McLaren aren't that great - unless something changes significantly in that driver market. He grew up competing with Colton, and is usually considered (alongside Colton) as the next generation of IndyCar stars. He has his super license, he has the speed and he has the skills. He races under the Mexican flag, but if he has US citizenship, maybe he'd race under the American flag if he races for Cadillac F1?

Alex Palou - The reigning IndyCar champion - he has made no secret about his desire to race in F1 and be based in Europe again. We all know his saga with Ganassi and McLaren by now, and he's seemed to be settled back in with Ganassi and winning championships with them. Still, it's reported that he has a get-out clause if he's offered a full time F1 seat, so this would be an interesting proposition for him. However, he's also said that he doesn't want to join a backmarker F1 team - which Cadillac F1 has a great chance at being one - at least starting out. TBH, I would have loved to see him drive for Williams after they fired Logan (and after the IndyCar season had finished). He would have most likely not wreck the car as much as Colapinto has, and I think his driving style would suit Formula 1 well. He races under the Spanish flag.