The Cadillac F1 Team is set to make history in 2026, marking the first new Formula 1 team in a decade. Backed by General Motors and in partnership with TWG Motorsports, Cadillac aims to become an elite competitor on the grid. Leading this ambitious project are Sergio “Checo” Pérez and Valtteri Bottas, combining decades of experience and proven results.
Their arrival expands the F1 grid to eleven teams and signals a new era for American motorsports, bringing significant attention to North and Latin American fans alike.
Cadillac F1 Team 2026
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Team Debut | 2026 Season |
| Drivers | Checo Pérez, Valtteri Bottas |
| CEO / Team Principal | Russ O’Blenes / Graeme Lowdon |
| Technical Bases | Fishers & Charlotte, USA; Silverstone, UK |
| Engines | Year 1: Ferrari; Future: GM hybrid power unit |
| Mission | Team of the Americas / full-works manufacturer |
| Historical Significance | First new F1 team since 2016 |
Why Cadillac’s 2026 F1 Debut Is Historic
- First New Team Since 2016: Cadillac is the first completely new entrant to Formula 1 in ten years.
- American Presence: It will be the second team competing under the American flag after Haas.
- Innovation Focus: GM plans to use Formula 1 as a technology laboratory, developing a hybrid power unit by the end of the decade. Initially, Cadillac will compete using Ferrari engines while building toward a full in-house power unit.
FIA & FOM Approval:
The project underwent a long approval process beginning in 2023 and culminating in March 2025, with full sanctioning from both the FIA and Formula One Management (FOM).
Cadillac F1 Drivers in 2026: Experience Meets Ambition
Sergio “Checo” Pérez
- Career Highlights: 6 wins, runner-up in 2023, over a decade in F1
- Role at Cadillac: Lead driver and team-builder, shaping the team from inception
- Significance: Ensures Mexico’s continued presence at the top of global motorsport
Checo on the project:
“We want to be the team of the Americas… I’m proud to help build a team from the ground up and represent both North and Latin America.”
Valtteri Bottas
- Career Highlights: 10 Grand Prix wins, multiple-season constructors’ champion with Mercedes
- Role at Cadillac: Provides leadership, technical feedback, and championship experience
- Significance: Brings insight from working with elite teams, helping Cadillac aim for long-term success
Combined Credentials:
| Driver | Wins | Grand Prix Starts | Podiums |
|---|---|---|---|
| Checo Pérez | 6 | 250+ | 40+ |
| Valtteri Bottas | 10 | 250+ | 60+ |
| Combined | 16 | 500+ | 100+ |
This duo guarantees credibility and competitiveness from day one, reinforcing Cadillac’s ambition to compete with established teams.
Leadership and Team Organization
- Team Principal: Graeme Lowdon, veteran F1 manager
- CEO, GM Performance Power Units LLC: Russ O’Blenes, overseeing future engine development
Team Hubs:
- Fishers, Indiana & Charlotte, North Carolina: American engineering and management
- Silverstone, UK: European motorsport expertise and technical development
Board of Directors:
- Mario Andretti, the last American F1 world champion (1978), adds prestige and historic connection to the team.
Goal: Blend American innovation with British technical excellence for a globally competitive team.
Cadillac F1 Debut Timeline
- Season Start: March 2026
- Grid Size: 11 teams
- Car Launch: Expected to be one of the most anticipated pre-season reveals
- Engine Plan: Ferrari power unit in Year 1, transitioning to full GM hybrid engine by end of decade
The team will capitalize on new technical regulations to ensure a level playing field against established competitors.
Cadillac’s Vision for the Future
Cadillac’s F1 strategy is divided into two stages:
- Establish Competitive Presence:
- Leverage experience of Pérez and Bottas
- Build a solid operational foundation and competitive race strategy
- Evolve into Full-Works Team:
- Develop own chassis and engine
- Compete alongside giants like Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull
Branding and Identity:
- Bold logo unveiled in 2025, emphasizing design, technology, and American heritage
- Global brand positioning within Formula 1
- Fosters unity across North and Latin America, aligning with F1’s growing popularity in both regions
Why This Matters for Fans
- American Motorsport Legacy: Cadillac revives the US presence at F1’s highest level
- Latin American Engagement: Checo ensures Mexican and regional fans remain connected to F1
- Technical Innovation: GM’s hybrid power unit project could influence future road-car technology
- Global F1 Impact: Expands F1’s market, sponsorship, and audience in key regions
Challenges and Opportunities
Challenges
- Developing a competitive chassis and hybrid power unit from scratch
- Integrating multi-national teams and operations across the US and UK
- Competing against well-established teams with decades of data and experience
Opportunities
- Level playing field due to new technical regulations
- Capturing fan support in North and Latin America
- Establishing Cadillac as a long-term F1 powerhouse
A New Era for American Motorsport
The Cadillac F1 Team represents more than just a new entrant—it’s a strategic, historic, and ambitious project that bridges American heritage, engineering excellence, and global motorsport impact.
With Checo Pérez and Valtteri Bottas leading the team, Cadillac is positioned to compete seriously from day one while laying the groundwork for a full manufacturer program. The 2026 season marks the start of a new chapter, not just for Cadillac, but for Formula 1 in the Americas.
“We want to be the team of the Americas,” said Checo Pérez. Cadillac’s mission embodies this vision: uniting the regions where F1 is growing fastest and delivering a team fans can rally behind for decades to come.
