Cadillac Debuts in F1 at Australian GP

New American team Cadillac F1 hits the grid after years of obstacles

Mar. 3, 2026 at 5:33pm

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The Andretti family's long-held dream of an American team in Formula 1 has finally come to fruition, but not in the way they originally envisioned. Instead, Cadillac F1 is now owned by a group led by Mark Walter and Dan Towriss, along with General Motors. The team will make its debut at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend, with drivers Sergio 'Checo' Perez and Valtteri Bottas. While the team faces challenges as a new entrant, the owners are determined to be competitive and make their mark on the global motorsports stage.

Why it matters

The debut of Cadillac F1 marks the first new team to join the Formula 1 grid in a decade, and the first American-backed team since Haas F1 entered in 2016. It represents a significant milestone for American motorsports and the global ambitions of the Cadillac brand. The team's success or failure could impact the future of American involvement in F1.

The details

Cadillac F1 is owned by a group led by Mark Walter and Dan Towriss, along with General Motors. The team had to pay a $200 million anti-dilution fee just to join the F1 grid. Despite initial rejections, the owners pressed on and developed a car and engine, even without approval to join the series. The team's first car will be called the MAC-26, in honor of 1978 F1 champion Mario Andretti, whose son Michael championed the initial bid before handing the project over to Walter and Towriss. Cadillac is billing itself as 'America's team' and is hoping to have American driver Colton Herta join the lineup if he has a successful season in F2.

  • The team had its initial shakedown at Silverstone in January 2026.
  • Cadillac F1 participated in F1's official preseason testing in Barcelona and Bahrain.
  • The team's debut race will be the Australian Grand Prix on March 16, 2026.

The players

Mark Walter

The controlling owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, a major stakeholder in the Los Angeles Lakers, and owner of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, a stake in Chelsea F.C., the Professional Women's Hockey League and the Billie Jean King Cup.

Dan Towriss

The founder and CEO of financial services company Group 1001, who also owns Andretti Global in IndyCar, Spire Motorsports in NASCAR, and Wayne Taylor Racing in IMSA.

General Motors

The American automotive company that is partnering with the Cadillac F1 team.

Sergio 'Checo' Perez

The Mexican driver who has been hired by Cadillac F1 as one of the team's veteran drivers.

Valtteri Bottas

The Finnish driver who has also been hired by Cadillac F1 as one of the team's veteran drivers.

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What they’re saying

“The historic debut of the Cadillac Formula 1 team in Australia is the realization of a vision that has driven so many of us at General Motors, and a moment of tremendous pride for everyone who has worked tirelessly to make it happen.”

— Mark Reuss, President, General Motors

“There's definitely a national pride element to Cadillac. It feels like the right place at the right time, where Formula 1 is globally, where Cadillac is as a brand, and where the U.S. is on the world sporting stage.”

— Dan Towriss, Owner, Cadillac F1

What’s next

If former IndyCar driver Colton Herta has a successful season racing in F2, he could soon be the first American driver in F1 since Logan Sargeant flamed out in 2023.

The takeaway

The debut of Cadillac F1 represents a significant milestone for American motorsports and the global ambitions of the Cadillac brand. While the team faces challenges as a new entrant, the owners are determined to be competitive and make their mark on the global motorsports stage, bringing a sense of American pride and grit to the Formula 1 grid.