Cadillac – Formula One’s New Addition

Formula One is widely considered as the most prestigious racing competition in the world, and participating in it is the dream of almost everyone who has raced at all. As a result, it is not easy to get in. First, one must display exceptional talent in go-karting. Next, they will be admitted into Formula 4, slowly progressing through Formula 3 and Formula 2, eventually reaching Formula 1. While this is the standard progression, exceptions can be made for individuals brimming with raw talent. The competition is in seasons, usually lasting from March to December (~10 months). The goal of racers during each season is to gain as many points as possible. Points can be earned by placing in the top 10 in a race, with a higher place earning more points. At the end of the season, the team with the most points (the total of both drivers’ points) wins the Constructor’s Championship, and the driver with the most points becomes the World Champion.

Until now, Formula One has consisted of ten teams, namely McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull Racing, Williams, Aston Martin, Kick Sauber, Racing Bulls, Haas, and Alpine. Debuting in the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, however, is the newly approved Cadillac Team. This team will be composed of Sergio Perez (2024 Red Bull driver) and Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes’ reserve driver). Cadillac has certainly picked two amazing drivers with incredible records. Perez has entered a grand prix 281 times, has been on the podium 39 times, and has won 6 races. His total points scored in his career add up to a whopping 1638 points, the 7th most career points in all of Formula 1. Bottas has entered a grand prix 246 times, has been on the podium 67 times, and has won 10 races. He has the 6th most career points in all of Formula 1, with 1797 points. 

While the drivers are an integral part of a team’s success, there also needs to be a car good enough to handle the rough conditions of racing, as well as a competent team principal. Without such a car, winning or even placing can be virtually out of reach. Until the 2029 season, Cadillac will use engines manufactured by Ferrari. However, post-2029, Cadillac claims they will have an engine ready for Formula One conditions. As for the team principal, Cadillac has chosen Graeme Lowdon. Lowdon will be managing the team and devising strategies for the drivers to win. Lowdon has been the team principal of the Virgin Racing/Marussia F1 team, giving him some experience in this role. Cadillac definitely has the right materials, but they need to make sure these align with the new rules being introduced soon.

Cadillac is certainly joining the Formula One grid during an eventful time. With the 2026 season coming up, the FIA has brought up some regulations that all teams will be required to adhere to. Firstly, cars are now required to be 30 kilograms lighter than usual, to promote agility and better competition on the track. Secondly, there will be some minor changes to the tires. The front tires are required to be 25 millimeters less wide, and the back tires 30 millimeters less wide (to assist with cutting the weight). One of the important changes to the cars is to the popular DRS (Drag Reduction System). To use DRS, a driver must be within a designated zone on the track and be within one second of the car in front of them (in terms of lap time). When approved, drivers can enable DRS, which opens a flap on the rear wing. This causes air to primarily flow through that flap, reducing drag and making the car accelerate faster. This popular system, existing in Formula One since 2011, is being replaced by a new system. Rather, a pair of systems. The new X-Mode and Z-Mode being added to cars will effectively replace DRS and add a new advantage. X-Mode is the modern equivalent of DRS, except flaps can now be opened on the front wing as well, as opposed to being restricted to the rear wing for DRS. Z-Mode is a new addition that, when enabled, can open and angle pieces on the front and back wings to create extra downforce. This downforce can be particularly useful in tight turns and curves. Considering that Cadillac is a new team in the 2026 season, these changes should be particularly easy for them to implement, as they have no current cars that they need to modify. This puts them, in terms of preparedness, at a slight advantage compared to the other teams. 

Cadillac will certainly have to prove themselves in the upcoming season to impact viewers of Formula One. With two great drivers, a large team, an experienced leader, and cars prepared for the rugged conditions, Cadillac may have what it takes to fare well in Formula One.

Sources:

Barretto, Lawrence. “FIA unveils Formula 1 regulations for 2026 and beyond featuring more agile cars and active aerodynamics | Formula 1®.” F1, 6 June 2024, https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/fia-unveils-formula-1-regulations-for-2026-and-beyond-featuring-more-agile.75qJiYOHXgeJqsVQtDr2UB. Accessed 2 September 2025.

Barretto, Lawrence. “Perez and Bottas to make F1 returns in 2026 with Cadillac.” Cadillac opt for Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas driver line-up for inaugural 2026 F1 season, Formula 1, 26 August 2025, https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/perez-and-bottas-to-make-f1-returns-in-2026-with-cadillac.6sqKNbUEoFjveym9YfGkxQ. Accessed 27 August 2025.

Barretto, Lawrence. “2026 F1 aerodynamics regulations explained: From more agile cars to ‘Z-mode’ and ‘X-mode’ – unpicking the 2026 aerodynamics regulations | Formula 1®.” F1, 6 June 2024, https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/explained-2026-aerodynamic-regulations-fia-x-mode-z-mode-.26c1CtOzCmN3GfLMywrgb2. Accessed 2 September 2025.

Cadillac. “About Us – Cadillac Formula 1® Team Careers.” Cadillac Formula 1® Team Careers, https://careers.cadillacf1team.com/about-us/. Accessed 4 September 2025.

Chowdhury, Tasnim. “What is DRS in F1 & when did it start?” BBC, 23 June 2025, https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/articles/c3w4p8qx6leo. Accessed 2 September 2025.

Formula One. “F1 Racing Teams 2025 – Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull and more.” F1, https://www.formula1.com/en/teams. Accessed 28 August 2025.