NASCAR star linked with F1 seat in 2026
A NASCAR star linked with F1 will be competing at the Indianapolis 500 this weekend in just his second open-wheel race. While there are already many drivers strongly linked with the American outfit – this one could be different. The NASCAR star linked with F1 will go against more established names like Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas, Guanyu Zhou and Mick Schumacher.
Nevertheless, the clear idea was that Cadillac F1 would likely pair American Indycar star Colton Herta, despite not yet having an F1 super license, with an experienced F1 driver. 'There's a lot of interest in this team and we're very appreciative of that,' said Dan Towriss, a key figure at Cadillac. Despite Trump's tariff increases, General Motors-backed Cadillac promises to be on the grid in 2026. Image: File
Likewise, he doesn't hide the desire to centre the General Motors-backed team around an American driver. But Towriss also acknowledges that a different approach might be needed initially. 'We want that person set up for success. And we want that seat respected when that American driver does come in for the team,' Towriss said.
Nevertheless, a growing feeling in the paddock is that Cadillac's strategy might be to leave Herta (25) out for now. They instead appear to be piqued by another, a NASCAR star linked with F1. Something which will prove beneficial for the American market in another way.
Mexican Pato O'Ward, for example, is an Indycar driver constantly linked with F1. When asked about the Cadillac rumours, McLaren CEO Zak Brown – who runs O'Ward in Indycar – did not deny the link. 'I wouldn't like it, but I wouldn't stop him,' confirmed Brown. This weekend, Larson will run a McLaren at the Indy 500. Image: File
And the big name to add to the Cadillac mix is NASCAR star Kyle Larson (32). He is a driver often compared in terms of talent to Max Verstappen. When the Associated Press asked General Motors president Mark Reuss about Kyle Larson, he answered: 'Let's focus on Indianapolis first.'
Indeed, Larson is contesting the Indy 500 this weekend, for the second time in his career. Likewise, Reuss denied that Donald Trump's controversial tariff regime will affect the Cadillac F1 project in 2026. – with GMM
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