Everything you need to know about Cadillac’s 2026 entry into Formula 1

The new American outfit is gearing up to debut in a year set for radical changes to both regulations and the grid.

Cadillac officially joins Formula 1 in 2026, becoming the 11th team on the grid just as a full package of new technical regulations comes into effect. Backed by General Motors and TWG Motorsports, the American brand aims to make an immediate impact from day one.

It will be the second American team in F1, joining Haas, which debuted in 2016, marking the first all-new team entry in the sport since then. Unlike Audi, which evolves from the Sauber team, Cadillac presents an “all-new” project, headquartered in Fishers, Indiana, with a UK base next to Silverstone, and a future power unit facility near Charlotte, North Carolina.

Building an F1 team from scratch is no easy task. Graeme Lowdon, former Marussia Sporting Director, leads the project as Team Principal, with Nick Chester as Chief Technical Officer and Pat Symonds as Executive Engineering Consultant. This experienced management team provides the foundation Cadillac needs for a strong inaugural season.

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In August 2025, the team announced Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez as their multi-year driver lineup, combining 527 Grand Prix starts, 16 wins, and 23 poles. “It’s important for us to ensure a pathway for an American driver in the future, but for this initial season this combination was the right fit for the team,” said Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports. Meanwhile, American IndyCar winner Colton Herta joins as test driver, moving to Formula 2 to prepare for a future F1 seat.

Regarding power units, Cadillac plans to become a full works outfit in the coming years, building their own chassis and engine, though 2026 will start with Ferrari engines and gearboxes, just like Haas and Ferrari.

Track debut is set with a shakedown in January, followed by private testing in Barcelona from January 26–30, ahead of official pre-season tests in Bahrain on February 11–13 and 18–20. The official livery launch will take place during the 2026 Super Bowl, cementing the team’s American identity.

Bottas already began integration on December 9, 2025, completing his first seat fit, initial meetings, and simulator work, while Pérez prepares alongside him. “The starting point could be tricky, but the sky’s the limit for the team… Cadillac is here to stay in F1 for a long time,” Bottas stated.

With experienced leadership, skilled drivers, and a project built from the ground up, Cadillac arrives in Formula 1 ready to leave a lasting mark and establish itself as a leading American presence in the sport.