Pierre Gasly is relishing the challenge of having "more rivals" in F1 when Cadillac joins the grid at the start of the 2026 season. The French driver, who races for Alpine, is hopeful the additional two cars will lead to greater on-track action and racing, labelling the decision to expand the paddock "exciting" for F1. Not since 2016 has the championship had over 10 teams, after briefly having 12 for three years from 2010 - still a far cry from the early 1990s, when the series required pre-qualifying to build a 26-car grid. Gasly, who made his F1 debut in 2017, will therefore experience 11 teams for the first time in his F1 career when the 2026 season gets underway. "It's exciting," the 28-year-old told media including RacingNews365 . "It's going to be my first time to race with 22 cars in F1. "So more rivals, probably more action, more racing. So, yeah, exciting times."
'More opportunities' for 'very talented young drivers'
Charles Leclerc - who is in the same boat as Gasly, having debuted in 2019 - highlighted the benefit an expanded grid affords young talent breaking through to F1. "There are lots of young drivers waiting for a place in Formula 1," the Ferrari driver told media including RacingNew365 when discussing Cadillac joining F1. "That will obviously give more opportunities to very talented young drivers that are dreaming to get into Formula 1. "So for that, this is a good thing. [It is] cool to have two more cars on the grid."
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