Andretti Autosport has inched ever closer to becoming the 11th team on the 2024 F1 grid. And the new entrant has joined hands with American Automobile giant General Motors-owned Cadillac to form the Andretti-Cadillac F1 team.
Andretti, owned by 1978 F1 Champion Mario Andretti’s son Michael is already an established Indycar team. The team have won the prestigious Indy500 5 times and the series 4 times.
The team have been eyeing an entry in F1 for a while. And with the backing of Cadillac, the team could potentially join the F1 grid as soon as 2024.
The team are still awaiting approval from the FIA and F1 to join the sport. But in case the team are shown the green signal, we picked out 4 names that might be on the team’s watchlist.
Also Read: Mercedes boss Toto Wolff fears that Andretti will eat up $32 million without significant return
Who can Andretti-Cadillac sign in their new F1 team?
Michael Andretti already has a vision for his Andretti-Cadillac F1 team. Michael has outlined the team will be a US-based F1 team that will employ American talents and produce a car in the States.
As Andretti stated, “We want to be an American team that wants to be developing American drivers for the future.” He claims the team will “pave the way” for Americans into F1.
And with 3 Grand Prix headed to the US from 2023, it will be a patriotic feeling to field an American driver in front of thousands at COTA, Miami or Las Vegas. So who could be the ideal candidates?
1. Colton Herta
The first driver has to be Colton Herta. Herta was pipped to join the 2023 F1 grid with AlphaTauri. But due to the lack of adequate FIA Super Licence points, the driver lost out on the chance.
The IndyCar driver is furiously fast and has completed F1 test runs with McLaren. Also, he drives for Andretti’s IndyCar team, so it won’t be difficult to field him in the upcoming F1 team.
2. Logan Sargeant
The other American candidate in question is current Williams driver Logan Sargeant. Logan would be the first driver to race in the sport since 2015. He is definitely a talent the team would keep their eyes on.
His performances against Alex Albon would be closely watched. But the 2022 F2’s “Rookie of the year” has the ability to pull off some upsets and can impress fans this season.
3. Mick Schumacher
Mick Schumacher was dropped by another American team, Haas, for the 2023 season. But the German has joined Mercedes as their reserve driver for the season.
Schumacher chose to move to the Silver Arrows with an aim to return back to the F1 grid soon. But with Lewis Hamilton potentially signing a new contract and George Russell certain to lead the team in the future, a return through Mercedes looks bleak.
Mick has shown that he can perform and battle for key points given a good car. If Andretti can loan the driver from Mercedes, he can be an asset to the team given his F1 experience.
4. Daniel Ricciardo
Speaking of drivers taking a break, Daniel Ricciardo joined Red Bull as a reserve after McLaren terminated his contract. The Aussie is enjoying a break from racing but wishes to return back soon.
Danny Ric is an 8-time Grand Prix Winner and can be one of the strongest drivers Andretti can opt for. Plus, he is American at heart and loved by almost everyone, a great PR win if you know!
5. Alex Palou
A list without Alex Palou at this moment seems incomplete. The Spaniard became a sensation in the US after he won the 2021 IndyCar Championship at 24 years of age.
Palou has tested the 2021 McLaren MCL35 in a closed-door test with the team at Barcelona and Red Bull Ring. And the rumour is that he impressed many with the lap times that McLaren offered him at FP1, ahead of the 2022 US GP at COTA.
Palou will be McLaren’s 2023 reserve driver and might get a couple more chances to test their F1 cars. Making him a candidate to closely watch.
Also Read: Fernando Alonso and Colton Herta is perfect F1 lineup for Former F1 champion
