The Americans Are Coming
The Miami weekend offered an early glimpse into Formula 1’s future, with the arrival of the 11th team on the grid. In Florida, the Cadillac F1 Team held its official launch party, marking its full entry into the championship next year. The presentation show took place at the Queen in Miami Beach but – to some fans’ disappointment – there was no unveiling, not even of a 2026 showcar. However, that doesn’t mean the American squad isn’t getting fully prepared for what will be a historic moment for American motorsport. Opinions about Cadillac’s F1 prospects are mixed: skepticism is widespread, but some are confident in the potential results of a team backed directly by General Motors, even if for the first three seasons it will run Ferrari power units as a customer.
Speaking to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Dan Towriss – CEO of TWG Motorsports, the organization that acquired Andretti Global in 2024 and will partner with GM on this project – clarified their plans for 2026 and beyond. “We’re building the car, we’ve been in the wind tunnel for a long time,” Towriss said. “The chassis has arrived, we’re continuing to add personnel to the team, and there are many workstreams happening simultaneously. But I want to make sure everyone understands how deep the partnership with General Motors and Cadillac is. I believe that’s something that will truly distinguish this team and this entry on the grid.”
Three Locations and Driver Curiosity
Cadillac’s F1 team will operate from three locations: two in the USA – one in Fishers, Indiana, which will be the main factory, and another in Warren, Michigan – and one in Silverstone, UK. The power unit division will be based in North Carolina. The decision to initially rely on Ferrari was also addressed by Mark Reuss, President of General Motors, who attended the Miami event along with team principal Graeme Lowdon. Lowdon was also seen visiting Ferrari’s hospitality area in the paddock. “To go fast, first you need to go slow,” said Reuss, explaining that they want to take the necessary time to develop a fast and reliable power unit.
Towriss also commented on the driver situation, though without revealing much. The signing of Sergio Perez now appears close – outside the venue, groups of vocal Mexican fans gathered, chanting “sign Checo, sign Checo” – but the second seat remains undecided. “There’s a lot of interest in this team, and we really appreciate that,” said Towriss. “We want this person to be set up for success, and we want the seat to be respected when an American driver joins the team. We’ll find the right way and the right moment to bring the right driver into Formula 1.”
So, there is an intention to run an American driver, though maybe not right away. An interesting option could be an all-Mexican duo: alongside Perez could come Pato O’Ward, a respected IndyCar driver and part of McLaren’s reserve driver pool. Zak Brown has already said he’d be willing to release him if Cadillac wants him as a full-time driver. Colton Herta, another promising American talent from IndyCar, also remains a strong contender. Meanwhile, Auto Motor und Sport suggests German driver Mick Schumacher – currently racing with Alpine in the WEC – as a candidate. Schumacher was in Miami, reportedly to explore further contact with the American team’s leadership.
The Tariff Issue
A final interesting topic surrounding Cadillac is the issue of tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, which continue to strain relations between the U.S. and Europe. According to American media, Reuss stated that GM’s Formula 1 efforts will not be affected by the tariffs, even though the potential impact on the company has been estimated at around 5 billion dollars. Despite some of the initial Trump-era tariffs on imports being rolled back, a 25% duty is still in effect. “None of this will affect this project,” Reuss concluded, referring to GM’s commitment to Formula 1.
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