Cadillac's Miami Masterclass: Off-Track Impact Matches On-Track Progress

Cadillac may not be fighting for points just yet, but F1's 11th team made a statement in Miami both on and off the track. While its upgraded MAC-26 car showed genuine pace, battling Aston Martin and narrowly missing SQ2, the team's off-track activations – from a free fan festival to a limited-edition road car – demonstrated the commercial firepower General Motors brings to Formula 1.

Why it matters:

Cadillac's entry was initially met with skepticism, but its Miami weekend proved the team is serious about building a lasting presence. With a two-pronged strategy of engaging new fans and making technical progress, Cadillac is positioning itself as a valuable addition to F1 – not just as a backmarker, but as a brand that can grow the sport's audience in North America.

The details:

• Fan activations: Cadillac took over Jungle Plaza in Miami's Design District for a free two-day event, featuring Sergio Perez and heavy presence from sponsors Jim Beam and Tommy Hilfiger.
• Branding blitz: GM ran F1-centric Cadillac ads at Miami International Airport and displayed a car at Hard Rock Stadium. CEO Mary Barra unveiled the CT5-V Blackwing F1 Collector Series, a limited run of 26 units.
• On-track progress: The team introduced its first major upgrade – a re-profiled underbody and front wing – which performed as expected. Valtteri Bottas and Perez were able to race Aston Martin on pace, a significant step forward.
• Team principal's view: Graeme Lowdon emphasized the long-term journey: "We've got really solid foundations for what we hope will be a very special team. It's very difficult to come in and deliver instant success, but we're building constant improvement."

What's next:

The team has a "constant stream" of upgrades in the pipeline. Lowdon is confident the trajectory is right, but acknowledges that competitive parity remains a challenge in F1. With a growing fanbase and improving car, Cadillac aims to become a fixture in the midfield – and eventually, a contender.