Cadillac Confirms 2026 F1 Car Production 'On Schedule'

The American squad Cadillac, backed by General Motors, is "on schedule" with the production of its first Formula 1 cars for the 2026 season, according to team principal Graeme Lowdon. The operation is set to make its F1 debut as the championship's 11th team.

Why it matters

Cadillac's timely progress is crucial as their entry coincides with significant chassis and power unit regulation changes in F1 for 2026. Being ahead of schedule helps mitigate potential delays and costs associated with new technical rules.

The details

• Cadillac previously developed and built a prototype chassis which successfully completed all equivalent FIA homologation tests, including rigorous squeeze and impact assessments.
• The team is now actively laying up the first two actual race chassis, building on the confidence gained from the prototype's success.
• Lowdon noted that Cadillac might be among the first teams to complete these new homologation tests, unlike established rivals who can leverage data from previous car iterations.
• While Cadillac will use Ferrari power units as a customer team until 2029, their focus remains on mastering the new chassis regulations.
• The first Cadillac F1 car is expected to hit the track during one of the three anticipated pre-season tests in 2026, which will include a private team-only session.

What's next

With production advancing, Cadillac is focused on continued development as it prepares for its highly anticipated F1 debut in the 2026 campaign. The team's proactive approach to testing and homologation positions them well for the introduction of the new technical era.