Quite a lot of the Method 1 drivers have backed Normal Motors’ arrival within the sport with the Cadillac model, with the likes of Valtteri Bottas and Kevin Magnussen open to future race seat alternatives with the workforce.
F1 introduced it’s working in direction of GM becoming a member of the grid in 2026, whereby the workforce will run underneath the Cadillac identify and use a buyer energy unit deal till its personal works engine is prepared in 2028. Its addition will develop the sector to 11 groups and 22 automobiles, and Lewis Hamilton stated it is going to additionally present further positions for engineers and mechanics in addition to drivers.
“I believe it’s nice,” Hamilton stated. “I’ve at all times been tremendous supportive of getting one other workforce; extra automobiles on the grid. To think about what number of extra job alternatives that’s… I’m so completely happy to listen to that it’s taking place.”
Hamilton is among the drivers who has raced in a grid of greater than 20 automobiles prior to now – the final 12 months being 2016 when the Manor workforce was final competing – and Fernando Alonso equally backed a challenge that features a few of his former colleagues similar to technical director Nick Chester, advisor Pat Symonds and COO Rob White.
“Eleventh workforce, 22 drivers, it’s not the primary time that we’ll be 22 on the grid,” Alonso stated. “It’s a fancy choice for the game normally but when they got here to that conclusion it’s as a result of it’s the very best for everyone. I’ll at all times help no matter administration assume that’s the finest.
“For the workforce personnel, they’ve a few those who had been within the Renault days and for positive they’ll have an enormous contribution proper now on the very early a part of the challenge, with a variety of expertise in Method 1 and within the sport. So I want the very best of luck. A brand new workforce isn’t a simple job, however I believe they are going to be properly ready they usually have the best individuals.”
For most of the youthful drivers it will likely be the primary time they race on a grid of greater than 20 F1 automobiles, and Charles Leclerc stated that gives extra probabilities for up-and-coming driving expertise, too.
“It’s the primary time in my profession that I’ll be 22 on the grid in F1, and that’s thrilling,” Leclerc stated. “I additionally assume that there are many younger drivers ready for a spot in Method 1, and that may clearly give extra alternatives to very gifted younger drivers which might be dreaming to get into Method 1. So for that, this can be a good factor, and funky to have two extra automobiles on the grid.”
Pierre Gasly echoed Leclerc’s sentiments, and emphasised advantages from a racing spectacle standpoint.
“It’s thrilling,” he stated. “It’s going to be my first time to race with 22 automobiles in F1. So extra rivals, in all probability extra motion, extra racing. So, thrilling instances. I believe it’s been an extended matter for fairly a very long time. So I’m positive in the event that they got here to that conclusion, undoubtedly means it’s the very best for the game. So I’m enthusiastic about it.”
Nevertheless it’s not simply younger drivers who’re excited by the prospect. Bottas is out of a seat on the finish of this 12 months and stated he has spoken to GM already about his availability for 2026.
“I believe that’s simply elevated the probabilities of getting a seat for 2026, which finally is the purpose,” Bottas stated. “But when not, then there’s a number of different cool issues in different sequence.
“Sure (I’ve had talks), I believe for positive I’m not the one one, however in fact, it’s fascinating for me, and I believe it’s nice for F1. Nice model, GM is an enormous backer behind it so, for positive, it’s an fascinating challenge.”
Magnussen is one other who is about to drop off the grid subsequent 12 months, and he has historical past with the producer after racing a Chip Ganassi Racing Cadillac in IMSA in 2021.
“Completely, I believe it’s thrilling to see,” Magnussen stated. “It’s a correct competitor coming in, an important identify and an OEM who’s going to come back in with weapons blazing and throw every part at it I’m positive. So it’s thrilling for the game, thrilling for the motive force market, for the grid.
“You by no means know in fact. I’ve pushed for the manufacturing facility earlier than in IMSA, it was the manufacturing facility Cadillac that I drove there, so I do know the administration, I do know the individuals there. They know me. So that you don’t know.”
Together with these extra skilled names, Zhou Guanyu – who scored his first factors of the season in Qatar on Sunday – has hyperlinks to the GM entry’s advisory workforce, and says he’s additionally trying on the new constructor as a possible alternative to get again on the grid in simply over a 12 months’s time.
“I’m totally conscious that GM and likewise Cadillac joined the grid,” Zhou stated. “I believe it’s superb for the game normally as a result of lots of people are at all times speaking about having not sufficient seats for the individuals, the younger drivers out there. Clearly, I believe we’ve a variety of younger drivers for subsequent 12 months.
“From my place, it’s an important alternative and an important probability for subsequent season after I’m not having a seat. So I can in all probability take into consideration what the longer term will probably be and attempt to have a possibility there. So I’m conscious of that.
“However every part was simply solely introduced this week. We nonetheless must undergo additional particulars a bit extra on that. However for me, my precedence is making an attempt to have one other probability of coming again on the grid. So for me, I don’t actually have the place I’m going, but when there’s an opportunity to seize, I’ll completely take it.”
