Cadillac Unveils 2026 Testing Livery as Alpine Parts Ways with Doohan

Cadillac has accelerated the 2026 hype by revealing a stealthy black camouflage livery for this week's Barcelona test, while Alpine has officially severed ties with Jack Doohan. These moves underscore the rapidly evolving landscape as teams finalize their power unit projects and driver rosters for the new era.

Why it matters:

The 2026 season represents a massive reset for Formula 1, with new engine regulations and fresh entrants like Cadillac reshaping the grid. Driver market adjustments, such as Doohan's exit, are the first dominoes falling as teams position themselves for the future, while the ongoing debate over team orders and engine competitiveness highlights the intense pressure across the paddock.

The details:

• Cadillac's Debut: The General Motors-backed team unveiled an all-black livery for the closed-door Barcelona test. The design features the Cadillac logo and honors the team's founding members across its UK and US bases. The full car launch is scheduled for February 8.
• Alpine's Roster Change: After stepping back to a reserve role in 2025, Jack Doohan and Alpine have split by mutual agreement. Reports suggest he may join Haas as a reserve driver while racing in Super Formula, aiming for a 2027 F1 return.
• Verstappen vs. McLaren: Max Verstappen criticized Oscar Piastri for adhering to McLaren team orders, arguing that compliance means a driver "sells their soul" and gives the team impunity to demand anything.
• Red Bull's Benchmark: Former advisor Helmut Marko defined success for the Red Bull-Ford 2026 project as simply competing with established giants like Mercedes, Ferrari, and Honda.
• Technical Shift: F1 is introducing 'Overtake mode' and 'Boost mode' to replace DRS, fundamentally changing how drivers attack on track.

Looking ahead:

With the Barcelona test underway and the season opener in Melbourne just weeks away, the focus shifts to performance verification. Cadillac's on-track data and Red Bull's power unit reliability will be the key metrics to watch as the new order takes shape.