A new team, Cadillac, is set to join the F1 grid in 2026, marking the first addition since 2016. The American outfit has also announced its driver lineup, bringing two experienced names back to full-time racing.
Why it matters
Cadillac's entry signifies a significant expansion for Formula 1, adding a major automotive brand and two popular drivers to the grid. This move promises increased competition and fan engagement.
Driver Lineup
Cadillac has signed Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez. Both drivers will return to a full-time role after their respective departures at the end of the 2024 season. Bottas, who left Sauber, was Mercedes' third driver in 2025. Perez will make his return after a gap year, having been released by Red Bull Racing despite a contract extension, following an eighth-place finish in the 2024 drivers' standings.
- Contract Details: Both Bottas and Perez have signed multi-year deals with Cadillac; the exact length remains undisclosed.
Team Leadership and Structure
- Team Principal: Graeme Lowdon, who previously served as CEO of Virgin/Marussia in Formula 1 until 2025, will lead the team.
- CEO: Dan Towriss
- CTO: Nick Chester
Power Unit Strategy
Cadillac plans to develop its own power units under the new regulations. However, these GM-built engines will not be ready immediately for 2026.
- Initial Phase: Cadillac has secured a deal with Ferrari to supply power units and gearboxes until 2029.
- Future Plans: The introduction of their own GM power units has been delayed from 2028 to 2029 due to practical considerations.
Preparations and Bases
The team is actively preparing for its F1 debut.
- Testing: Cadillac is already utilizing simulators to complete entire race weekends. They also plan to conduct on-track tests this year with a Ferrari TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) car, which is permissible under F1 regulations.
- Team Bases: Cadillac operates from multiple locations:
- Silverstone, UK: Main European base, housing chassis designers.
- Fishers, Indiana, USA: Focus on car parts.
- Warren, Michigan, USA: Additional operations.
- Charlotte, North Carolina, USA: Power unit development.
- Wind Tunnel: The team uses Toyota's wind tunnel facility in Cologne, Germany.
The Grid Expansion
Cadillac's entry means the F1 grid will expand to 22 cars for the first time since 2016, when Haas joined. That year, Manor's departure brought the grid back to 20 cars. Like Cadillac, Haas also began its F1 journey with Ferrari power units.
Keanu Reeves' Connection
Actor Keanu Reeves was involved in the announcement of Cadillac's driver lineup, adding a touch of celebrity to the team's reveal.