Cadillac to Hold Second 2026 Filming Day Ahead of Bahrain Test

The Cadillac Formula 1 team is scheduled for a second filming day in Bahrain next Monday, just ahead of the second official pre-season test. This move follows a Barcelona shakedown where the American newcomer completed the fewest laps of any team, highlighting its ongoing preparation phase as it builds towards its debut season.

Why it matters:

For a new team entering the highly competitive world of Formula 1, every minute of track time is invaluable. A second filming day suggests Cadillac is prioritizing data gathering and system checks to compensate for its limited running in Barcelona, where it logged significantly fewer laps than rivals. This extra track activity is a critical step in troubleshooting and refining its 2026 package before competitive sessions begin.

The details:

• Cadillac's first 2026 filming day was held at Silverstone on January 16, prior to the official Barcelona shakedown week.
• During the Barcelona test, Cadillac completed only 164 laps over three days. This was 76 laps fewer than the next-lowest team, Audi, and a substantial 336 laps behind Mercedes, which led the lap count.
• The team is set to unveil its full 2026 race livery this Sunday in a high-profile Super Bowl advertisement, marking a major marketing push for its F1 entry.
• Formula 1 regulations strictly limit teams to just two filming days per season with current-spec cars, making this Bahrain session one of Cadillac's final opportunities for controlled, promotional running before testing.
• The filming day news coincides with reports that Lewis Hamilton's former manager, Marc Hynes, is poised to join the Cadillac operation, adding experienced personnel to the project.

What's next:

The immediate focus is on the upcoming official tests. Following the Monday filming day, the second pre-season test will be held in Bahrain from February 11-13. A final winter test is scheduled for February 18-20. Cadillac's performance and reliability in these sessions will provide the first true indicator of its readiness to compete when the 2026 championship begins.