Formula 1 returns for the 2026 season this week with the Australian Grand Prix, bringing some new regulations as well as two new teams to the track.
One of those new teams, Cadillac, is ready to make a “historic” debut this weekend.
The Cadillac F1 team faced a long journey to the grid, filled with some twists along the way, but that debut is set for this weekend with the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. And while the team and its drivers have marked off several milestones already, including pre-season testing sessions in both Barcelona and Bahrain, as well as shakedown sessions at tracks such as Silverstone, there is nothing quite like lining up for your first Grand Prix as a team.
CEO Dan Towriss called it a “historic moment” for Cadillac.
”This weekend is a historic moment for the Cadillac Formula 1 Team,“ said Towriss in the team’s media preview. “This car represents thousands of hours of relentless work across the U.S. and Europe and the commitment of hundreds of people who believe we can build something worthy of this stage. Seeing the Cadillac Formula 1 Team line up for its first Grand Prix is a proud moment for all of us. In Formula 1, nothing is given. Everything is earned. This weekend is just the beginning.”
Mark Reuss, the president of General Motors, believes that Cadillac’s debut is the “realization of a vision,“ and a step toward bringing ”Cadillac back to the tier one set of global luxury brands.“
“The historic debut of the Cadillac Formula 1 team in Australia is the realization of a vision that has driven so many of us at General Motors, and a moment of tremendous pride for everyone who has worked tirelessly to make it happen,” said Reuss. “To bring Cadillac back to the tier one set of global luxury brands, F1 is a vital part of the equation. Helping bring this program to life has been incredibly rewarding for me and for the whole team.”
However, there is the matter of racing. As noted above, F1 is implementing a sweeping new set of technical regulations this year, changes that could completely shake up the pecking order. While the start of a new season is often a voyage of discovery, that phrase applies more than ever this week.
Cadillac, it seems, is already making some changes. According to team principal Graeme Lowdon, the team is bringing their first upgrades to their challenger to Melbourne this weekend.
“The Cadillac Formula 1 Team’s debut marks one of the proudest moments of my career,” said Lowdon. “It has been a huge task to get to this point, and I am endlessly grateful to everyone involved. But the Australian Grand Prix is only the beginning of the journey, and our focus is on building long-term success. I am happy with our progress in Barcelona and Bahrain, and we are already bringing the first upgrades to our car this weekend. We have bold ambitions, but we are realistic, committed, and respectful of the challenge ahead.”
Innovation never stops in F1.
The team opted for a pair of veteran drivers in Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez, both of whom bring race-winning experience as well as a championship pedigree. During his time at Mercedes, Bottas was a part of five Constructors’ Championship teams, while Pérez helped Red Bull win a pair of Constructors’ titles.
Pérez said it is an “honor” to be back in Australia to start the year.
“It is an honor to be in Australia this weekend, making history with the Cadillac Formula 1 Team,” said Pérez. “Being a part of this amazing brand-new team has been a highlight of my career so far. The atmosphere in the team is positive and we are making progress together. We should be proud of what we have achieved so far. I can’t wait to get out on track.”
As for Bottas — who also marks his return to the grid with a five-place grid penalty — he also noted the history the team is making this week.
“This year’s Australian Grand Prix feels like no other. I always love coming to Melbourne, but this time, arriving to make history with the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, it is even more special. The local support from the Aussies will make this weekend even more unforgettable.
“I am so proud of the team’s hard work throughout our pre-season running and the many, many months that have led up to this weekend. This is only the start of our journey together, but we are already making progress, and I can’t wait to go racing.”
