The countdown has begun: in six months, Cadillac will officially debut as the 11th team in Formula 1. The General Motors-backed team is racing against time to have everything ready from scratch. Leading this effort is Graeme Lowdon, a motorsport professional with previous experience at Marussia/Manor and in the management team of Zhou Guanyu. Lowdon spoke to the Formula 1 Beyond the Grid podcast about Cadillac’s journey to arrive fully prepared in Australia, from selecting experienced drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas to producing most components in-house, relying on Ferrari only for the power unit and gearbox internals.
A new challenge
“There are many challenges. Bringing a new team to F1 inevitably brings many problems, but they are ‘luxury problems’ compared to when we didn’t even know if we would get a grid entry,” Lowdon said, describing the start of Cadillac’s journey, which received approval to compete only six months ago. Despite the many uncertainties, the American team is on schedule to arrive in Australia ready for its debut: “We are on track. When we received confirmation in March, we set up countdowns throughout our offices marking the days until the first car start and the first Grand Prix. I am fully aware of the time we have left. Building a fully professional F1 team in such a short time is a real challenge.”
From crash tests to the first race cars
The Cadillac team has faced the challenge head-on. After passing the FIA crash test with a prototype chassis, the first race car production is underway. Lowdon revealed: “We are on schedule. We are building the first two race chassis. We had already built a prototype for FIA homologation testing, probably being the first to do so, as other teams learn from previous years. Now we are constructing the actual race chassis.”
The American team aims to produce most components in-house in Indianapolis, while relying on Ferrari for the power unit and gearbox internals. “We manufacture the gearbox casing and all suspension components ourselves. This is different from Ferrari’s agreements with other teams. It would be easier to source more parts, but our ambition is unlimited, so we want to do things in-house. We want to be a constructor from the start, not just a customer.” Production will also rely on common suppliers, such as radiator manufacturers, while the car design remains entirely in-house to retain intellectual property rights, as required by regulations.
Testing and preparation for Melbourne
In F1, details make the difference not only for drivers but also for mechanics. To strengthen teamwork and perfect procedures, Cadillac will conduct TPC testing in the second half of this year. Lowdon explained: “This type of testing isn’t meant to innovate the car, but to help mechanics reacclimate to a real car, regain muscle memory, procedures, and team coordination. The car could be a modern F1 car or an older one; what matters is that the team can practice: radio communication, protocols, pit stops, garage setup, etc. We don’t want to arrive in Melbourne with untested procedures. Everything must be rehearsed.”
A shakedown before official pre-season tests will finally allow fans to see the Cadillac F1 car on track. “In January, we will have a promotional filming day. It will be the first time the Cadillac F1 car runs on track. It will be a special moment. We are proud to represent Cadillac: these will be rare, hand-built cars, and we can’t wait to see them race.” Additionally, the team benefits from extra testing opportunities in 2026: “Unlike a normal season with three test days, we’ll have an initial test in Barcelona and two more in Bahrain. That’s three times the usual testing, which will also help drivers get up to speed.”
The choice of Bottas and Perez
In a Formula 1 environment increasingly populated by rookies, choosing experienced drivers like Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez may seem unusual, especially since both are not actively racing in F1. Lowdon explained that Cadillac’s goals differ from established teams: “We made a list of all the traits this team needs, which are very different from those of Mercedes, Ferrari, or other teams. Bringing everything to F1 this year means our requirements are truly non-standard. Fortunately, these two drivers perfectly match the profile we sought, and they aren’t contracted elsewhere, so it’s a fortunate coincidence.”
The experience of Bottas and Perez will help the team manage media relations, car development during the season, and problem-solving. “Looking at their qualities, they need to be fast. They are: together they have 16 wins and 106 podiums, and they know how to handle race cars. Many young drivers want to enter F1, but these two also have significant experience with other teams. They understand what works and what doesn’t. We don’t need to explain media behavior or team dynamics to them. Essentially, they know how to make a team work cohesively. For a rookie, this is a huge challenge: coming from F2 or F3 with a dozen people, now you have 1,000, and you’re the focal point. Having people who have already experienced this is invaluable.”
Reserve driver Colton Herta
In addition to Bottas and Perez, Colton Herta has been announced as the reserve driver. “I really like Colton; he has a true racer’s approach. Some see moving from a winning series to a tester role as a step back, but it shows confidence. Yes, he’s American, which is an advantage for us as an American team, but we chose him on merit. The reception from the public has been fantastic.”
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