Cadillac 2026 Preview: Building from the ground up
- Mia Wallace
- 3 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Written by Mia Wallace, Edited by Meghana Sree
As we count down to Formula One's 2026 season opener, our F1 writers preview each team's potential, expectations and goals ahead of the start of a new regulatory era for the sport. Can F1's newest team Cadillac turn their drivers’ experience into results in the 2026 technical overhaul?
When Cadillac confirmed its entry into Formula One, it signalled more than just a new team on the grid. Most significantly, it marked the arrival of one of America’s most recognisable luxury brands at a pivotal moment in the sport’s history. Backed by General Motors and launching into the all-new 2026 regulatory era, Cadillac enters the championship at a time when opportunity and uncertainty coexist in equal measure.
The steep regulation changes, from revised chassis concepts to an overhauled power unit, have effectively reset the competitive landscape. For an established team, that presents risk. For a newcomer, it offers a rare opportunity.
Here is a closer look at what we can expect from F1’s newest entrant in 2026.
What we learned from testing
After months of preparation and buildup, Cadillac finally had the opportunity to put its first F1 car through real laps on the track. While raw speed was not a priority, the team focused on performance data, reliability and gaining its footing as the new kids on the block.
Across the two weeks of Bahrain testing, the team logged consistent mileage and a solid number of laps, comfortably outpacing long-standing teams such as Aston Martin.
While Cadillac driver Valtteri Bottas posted the fastest time for the team, his time of 1:35.290 was still roughly 3.3 seconds off the fastest time overall set by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. This gap confirms what many predicted from a new team: starting from zero means speed will come much later down the line.
Bottas’ teammate, Sergio Pérez, put up a slower best time; however, this was likely a reflection of programme choices and running patterns rather than outright performance capability.
Aside from starting a bit on the back foot in terms of raw speed, the Cadillac team also faced some technical hiccups out in the desert. Both drivers brought out red flags over the course of the Bahrain testing, however no major issues were reported, and the drivers were able to resume their sessions each time.
Following the conclusion of testing, Team Principal Graeme Lowdon was optimistic about the team’s performance.
“I’m very happy,” he explained. “We’re working through the programme, had no major issues – just small issues that I think every team in the paddock will have had before.”
New team, veteran drivers
Cadillac may be a new team, but their driver line-up is a well-seasoned veteran pair that are well integrated with the world of F1.
Bottas brings to Cadillac a reputation built on consistency, professionalism and a deep technical understanding of his machinery. After several seasons at Mercedes, he helped secure multiple Constructors’ Championships. He holds multiple Grand Prix victories, but more importantly for Cadillac, he’s known for his clear and honest feedback which helps engineers refine new cars with added efficiency.
Pérez too arrives at Cadillac as a true veteran. With over 200 Grands Prix under his belt, Pérez is well acquainted with wins and podiums in a variety of machinery setups. Additionally known for his ability to extract maximum performance from challenging situations, Pérez brings Cadillac the promise of concise, adaptable approaches to race weekends.
Team expectations for 2026
For Cadillac, 2026 is not about instant podiums or championship contention just yet. Right now, it’s about gaining consistency and credibility as a team. In a season defined by large regulatory overhaul, the team’s primary objective will be establishing itself as a stable entity that shows signs of being a long-term competitor. Completing races, executing clean weekends and avoiding too many operational missteps will be more important overall than raw speed or on-track dominance.
Success in one year may not be defined by trophies, but Cadillac can expect to shape a year of trajectory. If the American team can finish the season with established reliability, sharpened operation, and crucially, a hold on the mid-field, they will be able to count their debut season as a success. Now, we can only wait and see what the new team can achieve in a new era of F1.
