Cadillac F1 Car Design Revealed After Perez Silverstone Shakedown

Sergio Perez's shakedown of the new Cadillac at Silverstone offered the first clear look at the team's 2026 contender. Unlike the Audi launch, images reveal a conventional aerodynamic concept prioritizing reliability and mileage over outright performance, featuring a rational design approach for a debut entry.

Why it matters:

Cadillac's entry into Formula 1 marks a significant expansion for the grid, and their initial design philosophy provides insight into their competitive strategy. By focusing on a robust, sensible package rather than chasing radical innovation immediately, the team aims to ensure a stable foundation for development and leverage the power of the Ferrari power unit.

The Details:

• Aerodynamic Philosophy: The car features a conventional look with a sloping nose cone and a deep central spoon section on the front wing, reminiscent of early 2000s F1 cars. The design appears focused on covering pre-season mileage efficiently.
• Suspension & Layout: The front suspension utilizes a pull-rod design, contrasting with the push-rod setup at the rear. Compared to Red Bull's RB22 renderings, the sidepods are more voluminous with a less pronounced undercut and extend further towards the back.
• Cooling & Integration: The bodywork prioritizes power unit reliability, with careful attention to radiator and heat exchanger layouts. The cooling vents on the engine hood resemble solutions used by McLaren and Ferrari in 2025.
• Power Unit Intake: The Ferrari engine features a dynamic, ovoid intake divided into three parts, similar to Red Bull's design, suggesting this may become a standard feature for 2026 cars to optimize internal ducting.
• Wings: The front wing and fenders align with FIA renderings, utilizing large horizontal winglets to generate outwash.

Looking Ahead:

Cadillac's development will proceed at a gradual pace as they gather data and evaluate performance. The Ferrari power unit is expected to be the package's strong point, with the team likely to leverage extra data from the Scuderia's works cars throughout the season to refine their own project.