System 1 is poised to broaden its grid in 2026, with an eleventh group set to make its debut following an settlement in precept with Basic Motors. The American automotive big is on the right track to enter the game beneath the Cadillac F1 banner, marking a serious milestone for each the corporate and the collection.
After months of uncertainty surrounding Andretti’s bid for entry, it now seems that Cadillac would be the group to carry contemporary competitors to the paddock. With Basic Motors’ huge sources and status, the transfer may have vital implications—not just for the aggressive panorama but in addition for System 1’s continued progress in the USA.
Liberty Media has already taken main steps to broaden F1’s footprint in North America, including three U.S.-based races to the calendar in Austin, Miami, and Las Vegas. Together with the prevailing rounds in Montreal and Mexico Metropolis, the presence of a full-fledged American group would additional solidify the game’s standing within the area.
Some of the urgent selections for newly appointed group principal Graeme Lowdon can be deciding on the drivers to steer Cadillac F1 in its inaugural marketing campaign.
Mario Andretti has been vocal in his assist for Colton Herta, hoping the IndyCar star can meet Cadillac’s need to have no less than one American driver within the lineup. Nonetheless, for Colton Herta to safe a spot on the 2026 System 1 grid, he might want to ship a standout efficiency within the 2025 IndyCar season to build up the mandatory FIA superlicence factors.
One other high-profile title linked to Cadillac is Sergio Perez, along with his administration reportedly exploring choices for him to safe a seat. Nonetheless, an exterior issue may affect the group’s driver selections—their technical partnership with Ferrari.
Since Basic Motors’ in-house energy unit won’t be prepared in time for 2026, Cadillac will initially run Ferrari engines, mirroring the connection Haas has maintained with the Italian producer. This connection has already performed an important position in Oliver Bearman securing a full-time F1 seat, and the Maranello group might now be positioning one other rising expertise for the same alternative.
After taking part in a current check at Barcelona, Dino Beganovic seems to be rising as a possible candidate for Cadillac’s 2026 lineup. The Swedish driver, who has progressed by means of Ferrari’s junior ranks, may comply with in Bearman’s footsteps, making his System 1 debut by means of a Ferrari-affiliated group.
With Cadillac’s preparations accelerating, Dino Beganovic’s trajectory can be one to observe as Ferrari doubtlessly traces up its subsequent star for a seat on the 2026 grid.
Talking on a current episode of The Race F1 Podcast, journalist Scott Mitchell-Malm shared his ideas on Dino Beganovic’s current check and the potential implications for his future. He famous that Ferrari’s buyer engine deal for the approaching years had made him take into account a risk that had been on his thoughts for some time.
In accordance with Mitchell-Malm, Beganovic had unexpectedly emerged on Ferrari’s radar from an F1 perspective. Whereas the Swedish driver had all the time been thought-about good moderately than distinctive, his trajectory in junior classes had not marked him as a standout prospect. His System 3 marketing campaign had been strong however by no means translated into a real title problem, and his 2024 season had been notably tough, with a number of setbacks hindering his progress.
Nonetheless, Mitchell-Malm identified that Beganovic had already accomplished a major quantity of simulator work with Ferrari this yr. He had additionally taken half in a check at Barcelona, operating on the very finish of a session during which Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc drove the 2023 Ferrari. Additional exams and Friday apply outings with the group have been reportedly on the horizon.
Mitchell-Malm prompt that Beganovic might need accomplished simply sufficient to place himself on the entrance of the queue for the following main Ferrari alternatives. If he carried out nicely in his F1 trials with the group this yr, he could possibly be a powerful candidate for a seat at a Ferrari-powered buyer group. Given Ferrari’s historical past of putting younger drivers in affiliated groups, Mitchell-Malm didn’t rule out the opportunity of Beganovic securing a drive with Cadillac in 2026—offered every thing aligned in his favor.
Who Is Ferrari Junior Dino Beganovic, and May He Be a Robust Candidate for Cadillac in 2026?
Dino Beganovic’s current ascent inside Ferrari’s ranks has come as one thing of a shock, as Scott Mitchell-Malm identified. Whereas he received’t be taking up a reserve driver position for Ferrari in 2025—positions that can as an alternative be crammed by Antonio Giovinazzi and Zhou Guanyu—his participation within the group’s current check session in Barcelona means that Ferrari sees vital potential in him.
At 21 years outdated, Beganovic competes beneath the Swedish flag, although he additionally holds Bosnian nationality. His reference to Ferrari dates again to early 2020, when the Scuderia introduced him into their junior program following a profitable karting profession that noticed him declare two championship titles in 2019. His first full season in single-seaters was equally spectacular, as he completed third within the Italian F4 Championship behind present System 2 competitor Gabriele Mini.
Beganovic’s most notable achievement up to now got here in 2022 when he secured the System Regional European Championship (FRECA) title, incomes himself a step as much as System 3. Nonetheless, his two seasons at that degree failed to provide headline-grabbing outcomes, as he struggled to mount a severe title problem.
Regardless of this, his transition to System 2 on the finish of 2024 confirmed promise, as he competed within the last two rounds and delivered a a lot stronger impression. If he hopes to be in rivalry for a seat with Cadillac in 2026, nevertheless, there’s little margin for error—he’ll nearly actually have to win the System 2 championship this season to solidify his case for a System 1 promotion.