Cadillac CEO 'disappointed' by Michael Bay lawsuit but confident in resolution

Cadillac F1 Team CEO Dan Towriss expressed disappointment over a multi-million dollar lawsuit filed by director Michael Bay but remains confident in reaching an amicable resolution. The legal action, alleging breach of contract and fraud, overshadowed the team's high-profile Super Bowl livery reveal for its 2026 F1 entry.

Why it matters:

This lawsuit presents an early public relations and legal challenge for the new Cadillac F1 operation as it builds its brand ahead of its 2026 debut. How the team handles this dispute could impact its reputation and commercial partnerships in the highly scrutinized world of Formula 1, where brand image is paramount.

The details:

• Director Michael Bay filed a 19-page lawsuit claiming Cadillac "apparently stolen Bay’s ideas and work for the commercial without paying for them," seeking at least $1.5 million in damages.
• The suit alleges concepts Bay developed appeared in the final advertisement and accuses the team of planning "to rip him off" to get a 'Michael Bay' commercial at a "bargain-basement price."
• CEO Dan Towriss responded by stating the team has "a lot of respect for Michael" but found his decision to sue "disappointing."
• Towriss clarified that all creative work for the launch film was completed "well in advance of ever speaking with him" and that initial discussions were about Bay potentially directing, not providing creative ideas.
• The team's asymmetric black-and-white 2026 livery was revealed during the Super Bowl, a major marketing milestone that was widely praised within the motorsport community.

What's next:

Towriss stated the team is "confident it'll be resolved amicably," suggesting a potential out-of-court settlement. The focus for Cadillac now shifts to continuing its preparations for the 2026 season, including finalizing its chassis name and navigating the second batch of pre-season testing in Bahrain, as it aims to move past this legal distraction and solidify its identity on the grid.