Ten years apart, a new American team has made its debut in Formula 1: similarities and differences between two very different stories in the pinnacle of motorsport.
The early journey of Haas and Cadillac in Formula 1 is far more similar than one might expect. The two American outfits made their debut in the top category of motorsport exactly ten years apart.
The first three races provide a useful benchmark to assess whether, a decade apart, the debut and ambitions of two teams can be considered comparable or not. One thing is certain: if Cadillac wants to reach the top of the world, it will have a lot to learn from the more experienced Haas team — especially in terms of approaches to avoid, given that Haas has still not managed to achieve a podium since its entry into Formula 1.
Haas 2016 vs Cadillac 2026: a déjà vu start?
The starting point of the two projects, despite being separated by ten years on the timeline, is remarkably similar. An American team arrives in Formula 1 with the desire to bring American style back to the forefront of motorsport. Expectations are low at first, but the final goal is noble and ambitious.
However, supported by a strong Ferrari power unit, the possibility of achieving solid results with a bit of luck and good strategy is very real. This very short summary applies to both teams, even though the context surrounding each is completely different.
Haas’ resources were not significant at the time and remain limited today compared to American automotive giant General Motors. Cadillac, in fact, will run its own power unit from 2028, two years after its debut in the category, unlike Haas, which has always remained closely affiliated with Ferrari.
The drivers are one of the elements that slightly differentiate the two stories. On one side, Romain Grosjean and Esteban Gutiérrez, two young and relatively inexperienced drivers, chosen to combine Grosjean’s proven speed from his Lotus years with the financial backing of the Mexican driver. On the other side, two highly experienced Formula 1 drivers like Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez, ready to build strong foundations for a team with such high potential as Cadillac.
Haas vs Cadillac: different results for different goals
Haas’ first race in Formula 1 ended with an incredible sixth place in Australia, bringing huge joy to the entire team. A better result could hardly have been imagined, and expectations for the following races immediately skyrocketed despite the project’s new status.
The next race in Bahrain confirmed the strong start with a fifth place for Grosjean. However, the third round in China brought the team back down to earth. Both cars finished the race lapped and outside the points, a scenario that would repeat frequently in the following races and seasons.
The comparison with Cadillac currently seems to favour Haas, as the first three races of the current season have not delivered standout results. However, the approach taken by Cadillac is different: more cautious and more strategically planned for long-term success.
Cadillac’s goal is to win, but the results of its debut season are not the priority. The intention is to grow gradually, step by step, building towards stronger results over time but with greater consistency.
An example of this gradual progress was already visible at Suzuka, where Sergio Pérez finished his first race of the season without being lapped. Small achievements like this are important building blocks for constructing a solid team.
Cadillac may be the newest entrant, but it is playing the long game. It is not aiming for immediate headlines, but rather for strong foundations that will allow it to challenge the competition in the future.
While Haas and Cadillac share a common American heritage and a reliance on established power unit partners during their formative stages, their strategic philosophies differ significantly. Haas’s early success was a spectacular sprint, whereas Cadillac appears to be preparing for a long-distance marathon, prioritizing structural stability over immediate points finishes.
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