Cadillac is Prepared for a 2026 Formula 1 Entry
The buzz surrounding Formula 1's newest team has been unending. With the speculation of their drivers now long past, Team Cadillac is now in the final stages of preparation for its first season on the grid. The collective experience on the team, including previous Grand Prix winners Sergio "Checo" Perez and Valtteri Bottas, as well as team principal Graeme Lowdon, makes Cadillac among the most experienced teams in the sport, despite its rookie status. Now, with Colton Herta beginning his European tour in the Formula 2 feeder series, speculation runs rampant again as fans level high expectations for the American team.
Experienced drivers and executives won't guarantee success, but Lowdon's decision to prioritize experience will set up the team for the future. The coveted fifth place in the Constructor's Standings is probably out of reach for their rookie season. However, the new regulations coming in 2026 will still offer them a more level playing field than if Cadillac had joined earlier, in the twilight of F1's ground effects era. As a new team, Cadillac will enter at the back of the grid, battling for points rather than a victory. Checo and Bottas will be focused on improving the car, as feedback from two former front-of-the-grid drivers will be invaluable to creating a vehicle that can, eventually, be competitive against the top teams.
When that time comes, the hope is that IndyCar star Colton Herta will be prepared to join. For now, he's been listed as the reserve driver for Cadillac, but he'll see his first action in a European open-wheel race car in F2 as he prepares for the move. In IndyCar, Herta has seen plenty of starts and victories, but the experience he'll gain in F2 is necessary for a smooth transition to the main event. He'll also be looking to get his Super License during that time, which was the main drawback to bringing him onto the team. The addition of an established American driver will bring intrigue to both the team and the sport in the United States, marking another significant step in Formula 1's recent push to attract a US audience.
Praise for Lowdon can be heard across the grid, as his decisions show a keen understanding of the team's position. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has recently commented on Cadillac's lineup, saying, "I think for a team to be able to develop, you have to have drivers who have experience, especially when it's a brand new team." Hamilton has battled against Checo and Bottas before, and is ready to welcome them back in 2026. Having driven alongside Bottas in Mercedes AMG, Hamilton gave plenty of praise to his former teammate, adding that he missed working with him and is excited for his next move. With everyone expecting a steady approach from Cadillac, fans can look forward to a competitive team in the latter end of the 2026 season and perhaps many victories down the line.
