Cadillac's F1 debut: What to know about the new American team launching at Super Bowl
Cadillac is set to become F1's first new team in ten years for the 2026 season. The American outfit, backed by General Motors, will launch its livery during the Super Bowl and has already begun testing with an experienced driver duo of Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas.
Cadillac will become Formula 1's 11th team in 2026, marking the first completely new constructor to join the grid in a decade. The American outfit has already shaken down its first car in pre-season testing and is set to reveal its official livery with a high-profile advertisement during Super Bowl LVIII on February 8.
Why it matters:
The entry represents a major expansion of F1's American footprint, backed by automotive giant General Motors. It arrives at a pivotal moment with sweeping new technical regulations for 2026 designed to level the playing field, offering Cadillac a genuine chance to compete from the outset rather than languishing at the back.
The details:
- A Contested Entry: The team's path to the grid was fraught, beginning as the Andretti Global bid that faced strong opposition from existing teams and Formula One Management (FOM). The project was reshaped under the Cadillac brand with deeper commitment from GM, including a future engine program, which ultimately secured its approval in March 2025.
- Experienced Driver Line-Up: Contrary to expectations for an American driver, Cadillac opted for veteran experience, signing Sergio Pérez (ex-Red Bull) and Valtteri Bottas (ex-Mercedes reserve). The pairing brings over 500 Grands Prix and 16 race wins to guide the new team's development.
- Key Personnel: The team has assembled seasoned F1 figures, including Team Principal Graeme Lowdon (ex-Marussia), Chief Technical Officer Nick Chester (ex-Renault), and Executive Engineering Consultant Pat Symonds. Charles Leclerc's former Ferrari race engineer, Xavier Marcos Padros, serves as chief race engineer.
- Power Unit Plan: General Motors will not have its own F1 engine ready until 2029. Until then, Cadillac will use customer Ferrari power units, joining Haas and the Scuderia itself in running the Maranello-built PU.
- Initial Test: At the first 2026 pre-season test in Barcelona, Cadillac completed 164 laps over three days, focusing on reliability checks. While it set the slowest time of the teams present, it notably outperformed established squads Williams and Aston Martin in simply getting its car ready to run.
What's next:
All eyes will be on the team's official launch during the Super Bowl, a massive platform to introduce itself to the American public. The real test comes at the official pre-season tests in Bahrain in February, where the focus will shift from reliability to outright performance. The 2026 season begins with the Australian Grand Prix on March 6-8, where Cadillac will aim to defy the historical trend of new teams struggling immediately.