Melbourne will mark the start of a new chapter for Cadillac as the American giant joins Formula 1 for the 2026 season.
The Australian Grand Prix will be the first time since 2016 that a brand-new team lines up on the grid. Backed by General Motors and run in partnership with TWG Motorsports, the project arrives at a moment when sweeping new rules have reset the sport. Revised chassis designs and a new power unit formula give fresh teams a rare opening to close the gap.
Cadillac sees this reset more as a chance rather than a risk. The team enters with seasoned drivers, a customer engine deal and plans to build its own power unit by 2029. The early signs from testing suggest the car can finish races. The bigger goal is to build a base that lasts.
The MAC-26 chassis and the Andretti tribute
The 2026 car is called the MAC-26, short for Mario Andretti Cadillac. Mario Andretti sits on the board, and the name honours his role in the project. The large Cadillac crest covers the rear of the car, making the brand hard to miss. The team revealed its colours during the Super Bowl, tying its launch to a major American stage.
Ferrari will supply the engine and gearbox from 2026. The deal also includes technical support. Cadillac plans to end that customer role in 2029, when GM PPU aims to build its own power unit. The company has reportedly set aside $65-70 million for a new engine plant and up to 350 staff.
Testing: Solid foundations, realistic ambitions
In Bahrain, Cadillac logged more than 1,700km across two test windows. The team focused on balance, energy use and race drills. Both drivers caused red flags at points, but the car returned to the track each time. On one day, Perez completed 104 laps after a setback, gathering key data.
The outright pace was modest. Valtteri Bottas posted a 1m35.290s lap on the final day, 3.3 seconds off the best time. The car appears short on downforce, which is no surprise for a new group learning its tools. Engineering consultant Pat Symonds said the team has a strong in-season plan and an aggressive push to improve.
Cadillac 2026 technical snapshot
| Feature | Detail | Impact |
| Power unit | Ferrari (customer supply) | Proven 2026-spec power unit; Ferrari also provides technical support staff |
| Chassis | MAC-26 | Brand-new design built around 2026 regulations; lighter, less downforce |
| Active aero | Standard 2026 specification | X-Mode and Z-Mode deployment in line with new regulations |
| Driver line-up | Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas | Combined 16 GP wins and over 500 race starts; strong development feedback |
| Reliability | Promising in testing | Over 1,700km covered in Bahrain testing across two test windows |
Perez and Bottas bring 16 wins and more than 500 starts between them. Both will be 36 when the season opens. The team chose know-how over youth, aiming for clear feedback and steady growth.
Driver dynamics: Experience over excitement
Bottas built his name at Mercedes with calm, detailed input and steady points. He helped the team secure several Constructors’ titles in partnership with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Perez is no short of experience either.
He has more than 200 starts and knows how to manage tyres and chaos (he was often called the tyre whisperer of Formula 1 for his management skills). After a hard final year at Red Bull, he arrives with a clear drive to prove his worth.
Team principal Graeme Lowdon said the value shows up at once. The drivers waste no time and give sharp feedback, he said. American racer Colton Herta joins as a test driver while preparing for an F2 debut in 2026. CEO Dan Towriss has said there is a path for an American driver in the future.
The bookies’ view: Realistic long shots
Sportsbooks rate Cadillac as clear outsiders. Most betting platforms price them at around +50,000 on the line for the Constructors’ Championship, giving them an implied odds of 500/1, the least of any current team on the F1 grid.
| Category | Selection | Odds (approx.) |
| Drivers’ Champion | Valtteri Bottas | 1000/1 |
| Drivers’ Champion | Sergio Perez | 1000/1 |
| Constructors’ Champion | Cadillac | 500/1 |
| Australian GP race winner | Cadillac | 500/1 |
ReadMotorsport tip: Perez and Bottas are long shots for race wins and the championship at 1000/1, but both drivers offer interest in the points finish markets. Bottas is priced at 11/1 for a points finish in Melbourne, and given how chaotic Albert Park can be on an opening weekend, that represents a genuinely interesting punt for anyone looking for value from the new boys.
Cadillac verdict
Cadillac does not need podiums in year one. It needs clean weekends and steady finishes. Early testing shows the MAC-26 should see the checkered flag in Melbourne. If rivals stumble, points are not out of reach.
The long game is 2029, when the team plans to run its own engine. That shift will define its place on the grid. For now, Melbourne is step one. The work to become a true contender has only just begun.
ReadMotorsport prediction: Expect Cadillac to finish behind the established midfield but ahead of Aston Martin for much of the season, with occasional points if chaos strikes. The real test will come in the second half of 2026 when their development programme hits its stride. This is a team building for the long game, and Melbourne is simply step one.
