Cadillac F1 Unveils 2026 Car and Drivers Amid Super Bowl Launch, Bahrain Testing Underway

YEREVAN (Azat TV) – The Cadillac F1 team officially unveiled its 2026 car and driver lineup during a high-profile advertisement during Super Bowl LX on Sunday, February 8. This significant reveal comes as the American-owned outfit is currently undergoing crucial pre-season testing in Bahrain, following an initial shakedown in Barcelona. Cadillac’s entry marks the first entirely new Formula 1 team in a decade, signaling a major expansion for the sport and a prominent American presence ahead of the radical new technical regulations for the 2026 season.

The team, which received final approval in March 2025 to become the 11th squad on the grid, aims to bring a new flavor to F1. Their path to the sport was notably convoluted, facing initial opposition from Formula One Management (FOM) and existing competitors. Concerns over profit dilution were cited, leading to a reshaping of the bid. Michael Andretti, who initially fronted the endeavor, was eventually eased out, with Dan Towriss becoming the public face of the Cadillac-branded entry.

Cadillac F1’s Convoluted Path to the Grid

Cadillac’s journey to the Formula 1 grid was fraught with political challenges. While the FIA, F1’s governing body, consistently supported the addition of an American team, the initial bid, led by Michael Andretti, was rejected by Formula One Management (FOM) in January 2024. This rejection prompted an investigation by the US Department of Justice into potential anti-competitive practices, a situation that threatened to complicate matters for F1 owners Liberty Media. The turning point came with the commitment from Cadillac’s parent company, US automotive giant General Motors (GM), to eventually build its own engine for the team. This pledge was crucial in securing an agreement in principle in November 2024, leading to formal approval in March 2025. Since then, the operation to prepare for the 2026 season has been proceeding at full steam, culminating in the recent high-profile launch and testing phases.

Experienced Driver Lineup for Cadillac F1 Debut

For their inaugural season, Cadillac has opted for an experienced driver pairing, selecting veterans Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas. Both drivers, aged 36 when the season begins, bring a combined wealth of over 500 Grand Prix starts and 16 race victories. Perez joins after being released by Red Bull at the end of 2024, marking his 15th F1 season. Bottas, formerly of Sauber and Mercedes reserve driver last year, embarks on his 13th F1 campaign. This pragmatic choice aims to provide the new team with stability and guidance through its crucial initial years. Supporting them will be China’s Zhou Guanyu as a reserve driver, and American Colton Herta, who has been confirmed as a test driver while making his F2 debut in 2026 after switching from IndyCar. Dan Towriss emphasized the team’s commitment to creating a pathway for American drivers into F1, acknowledging the immediate need for seasoned expertise in their debut season.

Beyond the cockpit, Cadillac has also assembled a highly experienced technical and operational team. Graeme Lowdon, formerly of Marussia, serves as Team Principal. Nick Chester, ex-Renault technical director, is the Chief Technical Officer, with Pat Symonds as Executive Engineering Consultant. Rob White, a long-time figure from Enstone, is the Chief Operating Officer. John McQuilliam, Lowdon’s former Marussia colleague, is the Chief Designer, working alongside Jon Tomlison, Head of Aerodynamics from Williams. Ferrari’s former race engineer for Charles Leclerc, Xavier Marcos Padros, is Cadillac’s Chief Race Engineer, rounding out a leadership team rich with Formula 1 pedigree.

Engine Development and Team Infrastructure

General Motors’ commitment to building its own Formula 1 power unit was a key factor in Cadillac’s grid entry, though this bespoke engine is not expected to be ready until the 2029 season. Until then, Cadillac has secured an agreement to use Ferrari engines, aligning with Ferrari’s own team and Haas as the three outfits powered by the Italian manufacturer in the new era of F1. GM is currently constructing a dedicated power unit facility near its technical center in Charlotte, North Carolina. This facility will operate separately from the team’s primary headquarters in Fishers, Indiana, and its operational base in the UK, located near Silverstone, underscoring a significant global infrastructure investment.

Initial Performance and Expectations for Cadillac F1

Historically, new teams in Formula 1 have often struggled to achieve immediate competitiveness, a testament to the sport’s demanding nature. While Haas, the last new entrant in 2016, notably scored points on debut, the three teams that joined in 2010—Caterham, Virgin Racing, and HRT—all found themselves significantly off the pace. Cadillac, however, is expected to fall somewhere in between, benefiting from its experienced personnel and two years of dedicated development on its 2026 car. The team has already demonstrated a degree of readiness by having its first F1 car prepared for the initial 2026 testing event in Barcelona from January 26-30. Although Cadillac completed 164 laps, the least among teams utilizing their full three-day allocation, and registered the slowest best time, Team Principal Graeme Lowdon expressed contentment with the shakedown’s focus on reliability and platform stability. The upcoming official testing events in Bahrain, scheduled for February 11-13, are anticipated to shift focus towards performance optimization.

The team’s official 2026 car and livery were revealed in a grand style, with an advertisement aired during Super Bowl LX on Sunday, February 8. This strategic launch, teased via social media channels with clips featuring the voice of former US President John F. Kennedy, aims to leverage America’s biggest sporting event to introduce F1 to a broader audience. This crossover between sports is designed to reassure the F1 paddock that Cadillac’s entry can attract significant new viewership and engagement.

Cadillac’s entry into Formula 1, marked by its Super Bowl launch and ongoing pre-season testing, highlights a strategic move to capitalize on the sport’s growing popularity in the United States while navigating the inherent challenges of establishing a competitive new team amidst a significant regulatory overhaul.