Hinchcliffe tips trio of IndyCar stars for Cadillac seat
Former IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe believes three of his former rivals possess the talent to make the jump to Formula 1 and succeed with the incoming Cadillac team.
Known for his deep racing insight and lively wit, Hinchcliffe shared his thoughts on why a transition from IndyCar to F1 might work for the trio – underlining their mental edge that aligns them with two-time world champion Max Verstappen.
However, Hinchcliffe initially emphasized the difficulty of predicting success across different racing disciplines.
“That’s the beauty of motorsports: there’s no universal talent for driving,” he said, speaking on the Red Flags podcast.
"You have drivers who are incredibly talented in one car, but then if you put them in another car, even if it’s a similar car, suddenly they can’t get it done.
“Even in Formula 1, you already see this between different teams."
One prime example? Verstappen himself, according to Hinchcliffe who pointed out the unique dynamic at Red Bull Racing.
“It is well known by now that nobody can drive Max's car because of the way Max likes that car and how Newey designed that car,” he argued.
“Max can go fast with that in a way that no one else can manage."
Cadillac's F1 Arrival Sparks American Dreams
As Cadillac gears up for its Formula 1 debut in 2026, there’s growing excitement about the potential for an American driver to take the wheel.
Hinchcliffe believes the new team, backed by automotive giant General Motors, will seriously consider talent from IndyCar – a hotbed of American motorsport.
Among the possible candidates, Hinchcliffe singled out three standout drivers: three-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou, Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden, and Andretti Global’s Colton Herta.
©IndyCar
According to Hinchcliffe, all three possess a rare mental trait that Verstappen exemplifies: the ability to stay mentally sharp under extreme pressure.
“One of the things we talk a lot about with Verstappen is his mental reserve while driving,” Hinchcliffe said.
“He has so much extra mental capacity available while going full throttle in the lead, thinking about his tyre management and being on top of everything anyway.
“The mental toll that takes is very hard to explain to people who haven’t experienced it.”
Hinchcliffe marveled at Verstappen's ability to stay focused while also managing other aspects of the race, like monitoring competitors.
“Then also to be able to say, ‘Hey, I don’t think Lando slowed down enough during that yellow flag, can you look at that?’ Are you serious?”
Three Drivers with "Mental Reserve"
Hinchcliffe’s endorsement of Palou, Newgarden, and Herta comes as no surprise to fans of the IndyCar series.
Palou has been dominant in recent years, showcasing precision and consistency that many believe could translate well to F1, a view shared by McLaren which put the Spaniard through a private test programme before the two parties fell out.
CGR's Alex Palou tested for McLaren in 2022.
Newgarden’s dual triumphs in the Indy 500 and Daytona 24 Hours underline his versatility and racecraft, while Herta’s raw speed and flair have long made him a rumored F1 contender.
Hinchcliffe believes that, like Verstappen, all three drivers have the mental reserve to handle the intensity of Formula 1.
“That mental capacity is what separates the good drivers from the great ones,” he said.
No Universal Talent? Maybe One Exception
While Hinchcliffe has argued that there’s no such thing as a "universal talent" in motorsport, he admitted that Verstappen might be the exception to his rule.
“When I said there was no universal talent? Max is just good at everything,” he acknowledged. “I take back that earlier analysis, Max is good at everything.”
And according to Hinchcliffe, Verstappen would thrive in IndyCar, just as he does in Formula 1.
“Max is the kind of driver who could get into an IndyCar and be competitive right away,” he said.
As Cadillac’s F1 entry edges closer, the anticipation of seeing an American driver take the grid alongside global superstars like Verstappen grows stronger.
With Hinchcliffe’s glowing endorsement of Palou, Newgarden, and Herta—and the unique opportunity offered by a U.S.-based team—the door is potentially open for one of them to shine on motorsport’s biggest stage.
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