Cadillac gears up for F1 debut with Super Bowl reveal

Cadillac is set to become Formula 1's first new constructor in a decade, joining the grid for the 2026 season with a veteran driver lineup and a high-profile Super Bowl launch. The American outfit, approved in March 2025 after a contentious entry process, will use Ferrari power units until its parent company General Motors develops its own engine later this decade.

Why it matters:

The arrival of an 11th team, backed by a major automotive manufacturer like GM, represents a significant vote of confidence in F1's growth and its revised commercial landscape. Its entry coincides with a major technical regulation reset for 2026, offering a potential window for a new competitor to make an immediate impact and further solidify the sport's expansion in the crucial American market.

The details:

• Controversial Path to the Grid: The team's bid, initially fronted by Michael Andretti, faced strong opposition from existing teams and Formula One Management over financial concerns. The project was reshaped under the Cadillac brand with GM's commitment to eventually produce its own power unit, which helped secure final approval and end a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the initial rejection.
• Experienced Driver Pairing: Opting for proven reliability over nationality, Cadillac signed veteran free agents Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas, who bring a combined 500+ Grands Prix and 16 race wins of experience to guide the new team's development.
• Strategic Operations Setup: The team has assembled experienced F1 personnel, including Team Principal Graeme Lowdon and CTO Nick Chester. It will be headquartered in Fishers, Indiana, with a UK base near Silverstone, while GM builds a separate power unit facility in North Carolina.
• Initial Testing Focus: During the first pre-season test in Barcelona, the team completed a limited but focused 164-lap program, prioritizing system checks and reliability over outright performance, which will be the focus at the upcoming Bahrain tests.

What's next:

All eyes will be on the team's official livery and car reveal during a Super Bowl LVIII advertisement on February 8. The true test begins at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in March, where the team's preparedness and the performance of its interim Ferrari-powered chassis will be measured against the established field. The long-term project hinges on GM delivering a competitive in-house power unit by the 2029 season.