Cadillac's F1 Debut: Mullets, Motivation, and Momentum Towards 2026

Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon is eagerly anticipating the team's 2026 Formula 1 debut, with less than 50 days until the car's initial fire-up. He emphasizes the immense emotional weight of key milestones, from the first shakedown lap to starting a Grand Prix, highlighting the unique challenge and exhilaration of building a new F1 operation from the ground up.

Why it matters:

Cadillac's entry into F1 represents a significant expansion of the grid and a fresh challenge to the established order. The team's methodical approach, emphasizing experienced personnel, seasoned drivers, and a culture of preparation, aims to lay a solid foundation for long-term competitiveness in a sport notoriously difficult for new entrants.

The Details:

• Building from Scratch: Lowdon, who previously helped launch Virgin Racing in 2010, is overseeing the construction of Cadillac's operation from bases in Silverstone and Charlotte. Countdown clocks at both facilities and on Lowdon's phone mark progress towards critical dates.
• Culture and Cohesion: The team is not just building cars but forging a cohesive culture, conducting simulated race weekends to ensure all personnel, from engineers to pit crew, work seamlessly under pressure. Lowdon stresses the importance of team members being acquainted before their debut race.
• Experienced Driver Lineup: Cadillac's inaugural race seats will be filled by Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez, who collectively boast over 500 Grand Prix starts and 16 wins. Lowdon noted their immediate excitement and enthusiasm for the project, which he sees as crucial for navigating the inevitable tough times ahead.
  • Bottas's Perspective: Having spent 2025 as a Mercedes reserve driver, Bottas brings a renewed hunger and a deeper understanding of team operations, race strategy, and car dynamics from an observer's viewpoint, which he believes will be invaluable in building a new team.
  • Personality and Character: Lowdon embraces individuality, highlighting Bottas's distinctive mullet as a sign of character. He believes that drivers as 'heroes' of the sport should have depth and color to their stories, reinforcing that they are individuals, not robots.
• Test Driver Role: IndyCar winner Colton Herta joins as a test driver, racing in F2 to gain F1 track experience. Lowdon praised Herta's attitude and respect for Formula 1, considering it a refreshing quality.
• Technical Progress: Cadillac's first cars are designed to the new 2026 chassis and power unit regulations. Prototypes have already passed critical FIA homologation tests. A Ferrari power unit will be used initially, with Cadillac's own power unit planned for 2029.

What's next:

Both Lowdon and Bottas are clear-eyed about the significant challenge ahead, acknowledging that the first few years will be about execution, learning, and growth rather than immediate wins or podiums. The team's focus will be on continuous progression and refining everything within its control.

• Bottas is set for his return in front of a supportive crowd, potentially at the Australian Grand Prix.
• The convergence of years of preparation into a tangible on-track reality in Melbourne will mark a rare and exhilarating moment for the birth of a new Formula 1 team, from concept to competition.

The big picture:

Cadillac's entry signifies a commitment to long-term success, combining experienced leadership, a proven driver lineup, and a robust technical plan. While the 2026 regulations will present a level playing field for all teams, Cadillac's foundation-building approach suggests a strategic focus on sustainable growth within the pinnacle of motorsport.