Cadillac Joins Formula One: Steering into the World of High-Speed Racing

By February 8, 2026, Cadillac made headlines as it became the first American automotive giant to enter the highly competitive realm of Formula One racing. The renowned U.S. marque unveiled its official team livery for the landmark 2026 season during Super Bowl Sunday, captivating audiences with a striking black and white design.

The Super Bowl advertisement, aired during the fourth quarter, not only showcased the livery but also featured an inspiring excerpt from President John F. Kennedy’s famous 1962 speech: “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” The ad concluded powerfully with, “THE MISSION BEGINS,” setting a robust tone for Cadillac’s entry into Formula One.

Pioneering this effort is team principal Graeme Lowdon, who has been instrumental in constructing the team from scratch. This includes establishing new facilities in Indiana, known for Indycar; North Carolina, home to NASCAR; and Silverstone, England, synonymous with Formula One.

Discussing the journey to CBS News, Lowdon characterized the path as “lengthy, with lots of twists and turns.” He proudly highlighted that Cadillac hired over 500 individuals from a pool of approximately 143,000 applicants to join the new team. “There is a lot of expectation, and quite rightly so,” he stated, acknowledging the formidable reputation of General Motors and the inherent pressure of competing at the Formula One level.

Representing Cadillac on the track are seasoned racers Valtteri Bottas, formerly with Mercedes, and Sergio Perez, ex-Red Bull driver. Between the two, they boast an impressive combined achievement of 16 Grand Prix wins and over 500 race starts. According to Lowdon, their experience was a pivotal reason for their selection, as they not only know how to win but also have the remarkable ability to unify a team—acting as pivotal figures in engineering and operational activities.

These guys know how to win … they’re the focal point for the engineering activities, the garage activities, everything to do with operating a team at the highest level.

While Cadillac’s entry into Formula One is promising, experts caution against expecting immediate victories. They suggest that the brand may face challenges in competing with existing juggernauts like Ferrari and Mercedes, and achieving a podium finish might take time.

Renowned figure Ross Brawn, known for his role in Michael Schumacher’s success, conveyed to CBS News the importance of patience: “It’s very tough,” he said, emphasizing the challenges ahead for the new team. David Croft, a prominent commentator for Sky Sports, echoed this sentiment, advising fans to watch for progress and development rather than immediate podium placements.

Formula One’s Rising Popularity in the U.S.

ESPN, long-time rights holder of Formula One broadcasts in the U.S., reported record-breaking viewership numbers in 2025, with 16 out of 24 races setting new benchmarks. Over eight years, the average viewership per Grand Prix has more than doubled, signaling a growing interest in Formula One.

Despite still being overshadowed by NASCAR in the U.S., where the latter’s Cup Series averaged 3.2 million viewers in 2025, the upward trajectory of Formula One’s popularity is unmistakable. Key factors contributing to this trend include the success of Netflix’s “Drive to Survive” series and the addition of new races in Miami and Las Vegas, which join existing races in Texas, Mexico, Canada, and Brazil.

Lowdon remains optimistic that Cadillac can harness this wave of enthusiasm, offering fans the thrill of following a new team’s journey—even if that means initially celebrating smaller victories. “It’s really so difficult to achieve success that, if you come along and join the journey… then [fans] can enjoy, if you like, the minor victories along the way,” he reflected, noting that simply producing a car of such complexity is a significant achievement.

Cadillac’s foray into Formula One marks a new chapter not just for the company, but for American automotive history, as it seeks to establish its presence on the global racing stage.