Öhlins to supply custom dampers for Cadillac's 2026 F1 car
Cadillac has confirmed Öhlins as its custom damper supplier for its debut 2026 F1 car, marking a key technical partnership. The deal deepens the Brembo-owned suspension specialist's role in F1 as it collaborates closely with the new American team from the car's concept phase.
Cadillac's 2026 Formula 1 entry has secured a key technical partnership, with Swedish suspension specialist Öhlins confirmed to supply bespoke front and rear dampers for the team's inaugural car. The deal marks a significant milestone for Öhlins, now part of the Brembo Group, as it deepens its involvement in the pinnacle of motorsport.
Why it matters:
This partnership is a crucial step in Cadillac's build-up to becoming a fully-fledged F1 constructor, locking in a core component supplier with deep racing pedigree. For Öhlins and parent company Brembo, it represents a strategic expansion of their already dominant F1 supply footprint, moving from a broad supplier to a named technical partner for a major manufacturer's works team.
The details:
- The collaboration between Cadillac and Öhlins began in the earliest concept stages of the car, with development stretching back several years.
- Initial damper prototypes were produced in 2024, followed by extensive testing and refinement through pre-production units.
- The dampers have been specifically tailored to Cadillac’s chassis and aerodynamic concept, aiming to deliver a stable yet responsive platform under extreme F1 loads.
- Brembo Group already supplies all 11 teams on the grid with brake calipers and many with additional components like carbon pads, discs, and AP Racing clutches. The Cadillac car will utilize several of these Brembo technologies alongside the Öhlins dampers.
- Cadillac's Chief Technical Director, Nick Chester, emphasized the partnership's importance from the project's outset, praising the "performance and quality" of Öhlins' products.
What's next:
Final testing and fine-tuning of the dampers are scheduled ahead of the 2026 season opener in Melbourne, with a focus on ensuring safety, reliability, and peak performance for Cadillac's competitive debut. The partnership will be a key element to watch as the new American team hits the track, testing Öhlins' race-proven technology against the established grid.