Schumacher in ‘very positive’ talks with Cadillac F1

Mick Schumacher has confirmed that talks with Cadillac F1 have been “very positive so far,” fueling speculation that the German driver could be in line for a return to the F1 grid in 2026.

Schumacher, who last raced in F1 with Haas in 2022, has spent the past two seasons on the sidelines in a reserve role for Mercedes while competing in the World Endurance Championship with Alpine.

Despite his shift into endurance racing, the 25-year-old has made no secret of his ambition to return to motorsport’s elite.

“A great position to be in”

With Cadillac preparing to enter F1 in 2026 as the series’ eleventh entrant, Schumacher has emerged as one of several drivers linked to the fledgling squad – alongside names like Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez.

Speaking to Motorsport.com Brazil during last weekend’s WEC round in Sao Paulo, Schumacher offered an encouraging update on his discussions with the American manufacturer.

“Yes, of course, discussions are ongoing,” Schumacher said. “The communication has been very positive so far.”

“And they've already hired a fantastic number of people for it. It's an honour to be part of it, to negotiate with them, and a great position to be in.”

While no decisions have been announced, Cadillac’s driver selection is one of the most anticipated moves in the build-up to the 2026 season.

The project, backed by General Motors and operated under the TWG Motorsports banner, is actively building out its technical and racing infrastructure.

Lowdon’s Perspective on Driver Selection

Graeme Lowdon, Cadillac’s team principal, offered insight into the team’s approach to selecting drivers during an appearance on the High Performance podcast.

Addressing whether candidates like Schumacher or Bottas are driven by a need to prove themselves, Lowdon emphasized a team-first mentality.

"Everyone wants to prove something else again," he said. "I never look at that as the biggest motivator. Our team is not there as a vehicle for someone to prove a point.

“Our team is there to provide a position on the pitch, if you like. For someone to prove what they can do for sure, but it's not the vehicle to show the world, prove a point or whatever."

Lowdon further clarified the team’s expectations.

"The driver is there to do the best that they possibly can for their team, and they should be motivated for the team around them as well,” he added.

“So, I'm less keen on people who kind of want to prove a personal point."

Read also:

• Cadillac’s road to 2026: The drivers in the frame for F1’s new team

As Cadillac builds its roster and infrastructure ahead of its 2026 debut, Schumacher’s positive outlook and Lowdon’s focus on team synergy suggest that the German driver’s potential fit with the squad is under serious consideration.

With negotiations ongoing, the F1 world awaits further developments on Cadillac’s driver lineup, and they should come soon.

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