Cadillac are set to present the livery for their debut Formula 1 car during a television advert at February’s Super Bowl.
The American team, who are backed by General Motors and led by former Marussia Sporting Director Graeme Lowdon are preparing to becoming the sport’s 11th team next season.
Multiple Grand Prix winners, Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez were recently confirmed as their two drivers, with IndyCar star Colton Herta taking on a testing role.
As per a special graphic and accompanying news story, Cadillac will show off their 2026 colours on February 8th during coverage of the Super Bowl – the annual league championship game of the National Football League (NFL).
Cadillac’s livery reveal will follow on from a private test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya between January 26th-30th, where teams will run their 2026 challengers – built to all new regulations – for the first time.
Test two will be held at the Bahrain International Circuit between February 11th-13th, with another test coming at the same venue from February 18th-20th.
Hot on the heels of the announcement of their driver line-up of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez for 2026, Cadillac have revealed that IndyCar racer Colton Herta will fulfil the role of test driver at the team.
American driver Herta, whose name had been spoken of in relation to a seat at Cadillac before the Bottas/Perez line-up announcement came on August 26th, was the youngest ever IndyCar winner back in 2019, and has nice victories and 16 pole positions to his name from his 116 career starts in the series.
Herta has previous F1 experience, having tested a 2021 spec McLaren MCL35M at Portimao back in 2022.
Meanwhile, the move will mark a return to European racing for Herta, who competed on the continent from 2015 – 16, including time as Lando Norris’ team mate in the 2015 MSA Formula Championship, before returning stateside.
This is a dream opportunity, and one I’ve been working towards for a long time. To be part of Cadillac F1’s entry at such a pivotal time is something I couldn’t pass up. My dream has always been to race in Formula 1, and I see this move as a huge step towards that goal. For now, my focus is on giving everything I can to Cadillac F1, helping build a competitive team. Herta on the news.
Colton is an exceptionally talented racer with proven speed, race craft, and maturity well beyond his years. His experience in top-level American motorsport as part of the TWG Motorsport family makes him an ideal fit for this role, and he will bring valuable and fresh insight, perspective, and energy to our team as we continue to build for the future. Having an American driver join an American Formula 1 team is a hugely significant moment, not only for our team, but for American motorsport as a whole. Colton represents the passion, ambition, and competitive spirit that define the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, and we are proud to have him carry the American flag with us on the world stage. Graeme Lowdon, Cadillac’s Team Principal.
Cadillac have signed Grand Prix winners Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas to be their drivers when the team joins the Formula 1 grid for the first time in 2026.
The American team, who are backed by General Motors and will be led by former Marussia Sporting Director Graeme Lowdon, will become the sport’s 11th team next season.
Cadillac have opted for experience with their line-up, signing Checo Perez and Mercedes reserve Bottas – who boast 527 Grand Prix starts and 16 Grand Prix wins between them – on multi year deals.
It marks a remarkable return for the veteran duo, both 35, after they lost their respective F1 race seats at the end of last season.
Perez took some time out consider his future goals and spend time with his family after leaving Red Bull, while Bottas stayed in the paddock as reserve for Mercedes following his Sauber exit.
Mexican Perez brings immense F1 experience, having competed for Sauber, McLaren and Force Indian/Racing Point before moving to Red Bull, where he helped the team win the Teams’ Championship in 2022 and 2023.
Finland’s Bottas enjoyed incredible success at Mercedes, playing a key role in the Silver Arrows winning the Teams’ Championship every year from 2017 to 2021.
Signing two very experienced racers like Bottas and Checo is a bold signal of intent. They’ve seen it all and they know what it takes to succeed in Formula 1. But more importantly, they understand what it means to help build a team. Their leadership, feedback, race-hardened instincts and of course their speed will be invaluable as we bring this team to life. A big thank you to the team at Mercedes for their co-operation and understanding. Lowdon on the news.
Joining the Cadillac Formula 1 Team is an incredibly exciting new chapter in my career. From our first conversations, I could sense the passion and determination behind this project. It’s an honor to be part of building a team that can develop together so that, in time, we will fight at the very front. Cadillac is a legendary name in American motorsport, and to help bring such a fantastic company to Formula 1 is a huge responsibility, one I’m confident of taking on. I’m proud to be part of such an ambitious and meaningful project from the very beginning. I’m really pleased to be part of such a dynamic line-up, and together I believe we can help shape this team into a real contender, the team of the Americas. We’re counting on support from across the continent – and we want to make everyone proud. Perez on the news.
From the moment I began speaking with the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, I felt something different – something ambitious but also grounded. This isn’t just a racing project; it’s a long-term vision. It’s not every day that you get a chance to be part of something being built from the ground up and helping shape it into something that truly belongs on the F1 grid. I’ve had the honor of working with some of the best teams in the world, and I can already see the same professionalism and hunger here. This is an iconic brand with a big legacy in American motorsport, and to be a part of the story as it enters the world stage of F1 is incredibly special for me. I’m looking forward to representing the American spirit of racing on the greatest circuits in the world. I’d also like to thank Mercedes for their unwavering support and sportsmanship in facilitating such an exciting step. Bottas on the news.
Bottas and Checo bring the perfect balance of talent, maturity, and drive. They’re not just accomplished racers, they’re builders, collaborators, and professionals who will help define what the Cadillac Formula 1 Team stands for. This moment marks more than just a line-up announcement. It’s the beginning of a bold new chapter in American motorsport. CEO of Cadillac Formula 1 Team & TWG Motorsport, Dam Towriss.
With having Cadillac joining the grid next year, there are two new spots which need to be filled but who is going to fill them?
As you’d expect the American squad have been inundated with calls from drivers and managers enquiring about a job and that led to the team compiling a long-list that ran to 15 names at one point.
That list, has slimmed down to just a handful, and while the team aren’t in a rush to confirm their line-up, they are starting to zero in on what they want, so whose in the running?
Valtteri Bottas
Bottas is a driver who could bring a wealth of experience to the Graeme Lowdon-led team from 2026 onwards. The Finnish driver made his F1 debut in 2013 with Williams after serving as the test and reserve driver for the Grove outfit since 2010.
He moved to Mercedes in 2017 for a successful five-year stint with the Brackley squad, driving alongside seven-time champion, Lewis Hamilton. 2021 saw Bottas join Alfa Romeo / Sauber where he stayed for three seasons.
He currently serves as Mercedes reserve driver, with Team Principal Toto Wolff sharing his support for Bottas to return to a full-time racing seat.
Sergio Perez
The Mexican driver was replaced at Red Bull at the end of 2024 by Liam Lawson, who stepped into the RB21 seat alongside Max Verstappen for 2025 but was replaced by Yuki Tsunoda after two race weekends.
In addition to his four-year stint with Milton Keynes team, Perez has previously driven for Sauber, McLaren and Force India after making his debut in 2011.
The 35 year old has been keen to return to the championship after his Red Bull exit, albeit only “for the right project”. Over his 14 year career in F1, he collected six grand prix wins, three pole positions, 39 podium finishes and 12 fastest laps.
Mich Schumacher
Schumacher has also been linked to the Cadillac team. The German driver previously drove for Haas in 2021 and 2022 before moving to Mercedes to serve as the reserve driver in 2023 and 2024. He now races in the World Endurance Championship with Alpine.
Alex Dunne
Most recently, Dunne has been linked to one of the Cadillac seats too. With the McLaren junior taking part in FP1 back in Austria where he ended up fourth fastest and within a tenth of Piastri.
He is quickly becoming one of the brightest talents outside of F1 currently, and with both Piastri and Norris locked in for long-term contracts, McLaren must be looking else where for the junior.
The Irish driver is currently competing in Formula 2 where he is 5th in the championship with 4 rounds left and 30 points between him and the championship leader… Dunne has also took part in Formula E as he has been McLaren’s reserve driver since January 2025 and taking part in the rookie practice at the Jeddah E-Prix and then the Berlin Rookie Test in July.
Jak Crawford
If Cadillac want to sign an American driver, it would be 20 year old Jak Crawford, who is enjoying his best Formula 2 campaign where he currently sits second in the championship!
Hopefully it won’t be too long until we have at least one driver announced for the new team.
GM Performance Power Units LLC. – founded by TWG Motorsports and General Motors to build powertrains for the Cadillac Formula 1 Team – has officially been approved as an F1 power unit supplier starting in 2029 by the FIA.
With their entry recently being confirmed, the Cadillac Formula 1 Team will join the F1 grid in 2026 and use Ferrari power units until GM’s engines are homologated.
Cadillac have set up a European facility next to the Silverstone track, the home of the British Grand Prix, and are working on a new headquarters in Fishers, Indiana, within the American motorsport hub.
The FIA’s statement confirming the approval added that development and testing of the team’s F1 prototype engine technology is ongoing, while there are also plans to open a dedicated Performance Power Units LLC. facility at their US base in 2026.
With this approval from the FIA, we will continue to accelerate our efforts to bring an American-built F1 power unit to the grid. Russ O’Blenes, CEO of GM Performance Power Units LLC.
Welcoming GM Performance Power Units LLC. as an approved power unit supplier for the Championship starting in 2029 marks another step in the global expansion of Formula 1 and highlights the growing interest from world-class automotive manufacturers like General Motors. Their dedication to innovation, sustainability, and competition is fully aligned with the FIA’s vision for the future of our sport. It also strengthens our commitment to making motorsport more accessible and inclusive worldwide – welcoming new manufacturers, advancing technology, and connecting with a broader, more diverse fan base. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
It has been confirmed that the Cadillac Formula 1 Team have received final approval to join the sport, with the team – who are backed by TWG Motorsports and General Motors (GM) – set to be part of the F1 grid in 2026.
The announcement comes after appointments were confirmed across recent months, including former Marussia Sporting Director Graeme Lowdon joining as Team principal and industry veteran Russ O’Blenes becoming CEO of TWG GM Performance Power Units, which will contribute towards Cadillac becoming a “full works” team by the end of the decade.
The Cadillac outfit – which has bases in Fishers, Indiana; Charlotte, North Carolina; Warren, Michigan; and Silverstone, England – have assembled a team of over 200 people working on aerodynamics, chassis and component development, software and vehicle dynamics simulation since the team’s bid to enter Formula 1 was announced, with development work continuing at pace ahead of joining the grid in 2026.
As we said in November, the commitment by General Motors to bring a Cadillac team to Formula 1 was an important and positive demonstration of the evolution of our sport. I want to thank GM and TWG Motorsports for their constructive engagement over many months and look forward to welcoming the team on the grid from 2026 for what will be another exciting year for Formula 1. Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.
Today marks a transformative moment, and I am proud to lead the Federation in this progressive step for the championship. The FIA Formula One Championship’s expansion to an 11th team in 2026 is a milestone. GM/Cadillac brings fresh energy, aligning with the new FIA 2026 regulations and ushering in an exciting era for the sport.The Cadillac Formula 1 Team’s presence in the paddock will inspire future competitors and fans. Their entry strengthens our mission to push motorsport’s boundaries at the highest level. FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
For the past year, we have worked hand in hand with GM, to lay a robust foundation for an extraordinary Formula 1 entry. Now, with 2026 in our sights after today’s final approval from the FIA and Formula One Management, we’re accelerating our efforts—expanding our facilities, refining cutting-edge technologies, and continuing to assemble top-tier talent. Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsport.
I couldn’t be prouder of the effort put in thus far by the entire Cadillac Formula 1 team. This announcement is the next step in getting on the grid and continued work toward building a full-works team. Through the long and thorough application process, we never lost pace in planning or belief in our mission. We can’t wait to go racing and give fans a new team to cheer for. Lowdon on the news.
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