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Budkowski Refuses to Confirm 2027 Cadillac Seats as Herta Decision Nears
Marcin Budkowski has left Cadillac's 2027 driver plans unconfirmed amid talks with Sergio Perez, fresh uncertainty for Valtteri Bottas, and an approaching decision on Colton Herta.
By Michael de Vries - 2026-10-23T22:39:48.000Z - 3 min read
Cadillac's driver market plans for the 2027 Formula 1 season have opened up after team principal Marcin Budkowski declined to confirm that either of the squad's current racers is under contract beyond their initial terms. According to reporting from RACER, the American operation is closing in on a pivotal decision regarding Colton Herta, who continues to harbour firm ambitions of securing a race seat on the grand prix grid.
Budkowski's reluctance to offer public guarantees leaves the team's long-term lineup unconfirmed at an early stage of planning. Rather than confirming continuity for his current drivers, the team principal pointedly stepped back from validating their contract status for 2027. That deliberate restraint from management immediately turns attention toward Cadillac's internal evaluation, shifting what had been background speculation into an active and consequential paddock storyline.
At the centre of the team's impending choices sits Herta, with RACER reporting that Cadillac is approaching a formal call on his prospects. The American driver has persistently retained his ambition of competing in Formula 1, and the squad's pending evaluation indicates that his candidacy remains an active priority for senior leadership. Whether that evaluation translates into a race seat for 2027 represents the decisive question facing the outfit as decision time approaches.
The internal landscape within the current garage reveals a clear divergence between Cadillac's two incumbent drivers. Sergio Perez is understood to have engaged in discussions with team management regarding a new contract that would extend his stay into 2027. Although those conversations suggest an open channel of communication between the Mexican driver and team leadership, the lack of an executed agreement means his future remains unfinalised while talks continue.
By contrast, the outlook appears considerably more precarious for Valtteri Bottas. RACER reported that the Finnish driver's position is viewed as less secure inside the American organisation. With Budkowski refusing to confirm that either current driver has a signed agreement for 2027, that lack of security leaves Bottas directly exposed to any changes Cadillac might choose to implement across its driving roster.
The contrasting fortunes of the two incumbents outline the strategic choices facing Cadillac as it plots its path forward. Team management must balance the familiar benchmark provided by its current pairing against the opportunity to introduce fresh blood, particularly with Herta pursuing a place on the grid. While ongoing dialogue with Perez indicates an interest in maintaining established experience, keeping both seats uncommitted gives the organization complete freedom to alter its direction if leadership determines a shakeup is warranted.
With a verdict on Herta approaching, Cadillac's next steps will shape the remainder of the 2027 driver market. Any move to bring Herta into the race seat would immediately compress the options for the incumbent lineup, intensifying the uncertainty already surrounding Bottas. Until new contracts are signed and officially confirmed, Budkowski's unwillingness to commit ensures that the American team's cockpit battle will remain under intense scrutiny.