Cadillac Unveils Stealthy Black Test Livery to Hide 2026 Design Secrets

Cadillac has revealed a one-off black livery for its upcoming private Formula 1 test in Barcelona, designed specifically to conceal its 2026 car's aerodynamic secrets. This interim look serves as a placeholder until the team's official launch during the Super Bowl halftime show on February 8. The reveal took place at GM's new global headquarters in Detroit, highlighting the cross-continental effort behind the American manufacturer's F1 entry.

Why it matters:

For a new manufacturer entry, protecting technical data is paramount. The aerodynamic concepts under the new 2026 regulations are highly sensitive, and a camouflage livery prevents rivals from analyzing surface details and airflow structures through photography. This signals a serious approach from General Motors, prioritizing competitive advantage over early marketing exposure.

The details:

• Design & Origin: The black livery, featuring the Cadillac logo, was developed through a collaboration between GM's US design office and the UK-based Cadillac F1 team operations.
• Public Viewing: The showcar sporting this livery is currently on display at the Detroit Auto Show until January 25.
• Official Reveal: The full 2026 livery will be showcased on February 8 during the Super Bowl, leveraging a massive global stage.
• Market Context: Cadillac isn't alone in this strategy; Williams is also running a special livery for testing, while Red Bull and Racing Bulls are set to reveal their actual 2026 colors in Detroit on Thursday night.

What's next:

The focus now shifts to the track. While the car looks different on the outside, the real story will be the performance underneath. All eyes will be on the Barcelona test to see if the GM power unit and chassis can match the hype surrounding their highly anticipated entry into Formula 1.