Cadillac will run a race car this year to sharpen team operations and prep drivers ahead of its highly anticipated 2026 F1 debut.
Cadillac F1 is set to put a race car on track later this year, well before its official debut in 2026. The goal isn’t to test a final-spec car but to get the team working together under real-world conditions.
Team Principal Graeme Lowdon confirmed that while the 2026-spec vehicle can’t be used yet, they’ll find a way to run a race car to sharpen operations.
“We plan to run a car before the end of the year,” he said. “It’s essential for our mechanics and crew to be fully prepared. We’ve all seen how unpredictable a race weekend can be, and everyone needs to be performing at their peak.”
Lowdon explained that getting engineers and drivers working together on-site is key. “We’ll put something on track so the whole team can gain experience in a real environment.”
F1’s current testing rules are far stricter than they once were. In the past, new teams could spend months on the track before officially joining. When Toyota entered the sport in 2002, it had an entire season of testing under its belt with a development chassis.
Cadillac’s entry into F1 was initially greenlit by the FIA in October 2023, back when the project was still tied to the Andretti name. Full approval from Formula One Management didn’t come until March 2025, but the team had already started development work months earlier.
“We’ve had drivers in the simulator since late last year, putting in time to replicate the car’s behavior,” said Lowdon. “Our aero program is progressing well. What we’re missing now is a real car on track — but we’re getting there.”
Cadillac has already completed its first full 2026-spec chassis, which will be used as a development platform next year.
“The prototype chassis arrived at our facility just a few weeks ago. It’s fully machined and fitted with a roll hoop — it looks every bit like a real F1 machine.”
This chassis will undergo a wide range of tests to validate systems under the upcoming 2026 regulations, which are known to be especially demanding.
“If you’ve followed the first six races of 2025, you’ll know how complex this sport is. So many moving parts, so much that can go wrong. Building a fully prepared team isn’t something that happens overnight. It’s a long-term commitment.”
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Cadillac Gears Up for F1 Debut with Early Track Test Cadillac Gears Up for F1 Debut with Early Track Test