Daniel Ricciardo: New Cadillac F1 team could offer popular Aussie driver opportunity to return to the circuit

A new team added to the Formula One grid could be the latest opportunity for Dan Ricciardo to revive his driving career.

The F1 is set to have an 11th team on the grid in 2026 after Cadillac’s proposed entry was rubber-stamped by the sport’s bosses.

Cadillac, a division of American motoring giant General Motors, is expected to be powered by Ferrari before it develops its own engines.

The move comes after F1 initially rejected the bid which was headed up by Andretti — owned by former F1 driver Michael Andretti, son of 1978 world champion Mario Andretti — earlier this year. The Andretti name has since been dropped from the proposal.

And while it is understood that Mario will be handed an ambassadorial role in the project, Michael is no longer involved.

Ricciardo was axed from Red Bull’s second team — RB — in September after the Singapore Grand Prix, but speculation has been rife his days on the track may not be over with tension between the drivers in the Red Bull teams spilling out into the public arena and Red Bull bosses openly regretting how the Aussie star was sacked.

The 34-year-old could be the experience Cadillac are looking for to be the team’s second driver behind a young star. Age is no barrier in the F1 with Fernando Alonso, 43, still driving for Aston Martin.

Ricciardo has yet to confirm what his next move might be, but is hugely popular with F1 fans which would also, make him attractive to a new team looking to ramp up its profile.

He would have to wait until 2026 to get back in the driver’s seat but with a net worth of $50 million and several ongoing business ventures, a sabbatical year away may be the right move to revitalise his drive to succeed.

Cadillac already has a presence in endurance racing events such as the 24-hour Le Mans race.

“Formula One announced today that it has reached an agreement in principle with General Motors (GM) to support bringing GM/Cadillac as the 11th team to the Formula One grid in 2026,” the F1 said in a statement.

“Formula One has maintained a dialogue with General Motors, and its partners at TWG Global, regarding the viability of an entry following the commercial assessment and decision made by Formula One in January 2024.

“Over the course of this year, they have achieved operational milestones and made clear their commitment to brand the eleventh team GM/Cadillac, and that GM will enter as an engine supplier at a later time.

“Formula One is therefore pleased to move forward with this application process and will provide further updates in due course.”

The other 10 teams had largely been against the introduction of a new outfit because of the dilution of prize money.

F1’s presence in the United States has increased dramatically in recent seasons following the success of the sport’s Netflix series, Drive to Survive, as well as the growing number of races in America.

The announcement comes less than 48 hours after Max Verstappen sealed the F1 title at the Las Vegas Grand Prix — which after Miami and Austin is the third US race on the calendar.

- with wires