Cadillac F1 Team Principal Graeme Lowdon has affirmed the squad’s ‘bold ambition’ to achieve success in Formula 1, despite a challenging initial half of its maiden campaign. The American team joined the grid as the 11th entrant for the 2026 season, facing the inherent difficulties of establishing a new operation from inception.
The team’s entry into Formula 1 was officially approved in March 2025, following a protracted process that saw the initial Andretti-led bid evolve into a factory Cadillac effort. General Motors’ increased involvement was pivotal, with the team utilizing customer Ferrari engines until 2028 before developing its own power unit from 2029.
Cadillac operates from multiple bases, including facilities in Fishers, Indiana; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Warren, Michigan, alongside a UK base in Silverstone. Graeme Lowdon serves as Team Principal, with Dan Towriss as CEO and Nick Chester as Chief Technical Officer.
The driver lineup for Cadillac’s debut season features experienced racers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez. Zhou Guanyu is listed as a reserve driver, with Colton Herta serving as a test driver for the team.
The 2026 season has presented significant hurdles for Cadillac, particularly concerning reliability. The team has recorded nine retirements across 11 races by late July, placing them second in non-finishes only to Aston Martin.
Specific issues have included four retirements attributed to brake problems and three to suspension failures. Fuel system malfunctions have also contributed to the team’s reliability woes during the season.
Despite these setbacks, Cadillac has demonstrated some progress in pace. Sergio Pérez finished on the lead lap in Japan, a notable improvement from being three laps down in Australia.
Qualifying performance has also shown development. Pérez was ahead of both Aston Martins at Suzuka, having been six tenths adrift in Australia. In Hungary, Cadillac was within a couple of tenths of Williams in qualifying.
The team has been actively introducing upgrades, including a new floor, front wing, and diffuser in Miami, with further additions in Canada. A substantial upgrade package was anticipated for the Austrian Grand Prix.
Pérez has been recognized for his strong performances and valuable technical feedback, with Bottas also providing crucial input for the team’s development.
Lowdon acknowledges the inherent challenge of Formula 1, stating that the sport is ‘cursed with the fact that you can never be happy’ due to the continuous drive for improvement.
Cadillac aims to operate at the cost cap and has set a five-year target for competing for podium finishes, race victories, and a world championship.
The team’s immediate goal for its debut season is to ensure constructive development and extract maximum performance from its current package. Pérez has stressed the importance of maintaining a high rate of improvement in the ongoing development battle.
Cadillac’s leadership has made it clear that the team is not merely participating but is structured with a clear intent to compete at the highest level.
