Cadillac Debuts American F1 Team at Australian GP

New team TWG Motorsports and General Motors bring Cadillac to the F1 grid for the first time.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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After nearly five years of work, Cadillac F1 will make its debut at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend, becoming the first new team to enter Formula 1 in a decade. The team is led by TWG Motorsports, which includes Mark Walter and Dan Towriss, along with General Motors. They have hired drivers Sergio 'Checo' Perez and Valtteri Bottas to build the program, which will initially lease a Ferrari engine as they develop their own power unit.

Why it matters

Cadillac's entry into F1 marks the first time an American manufacturer has had a full-fledged team in the series since Haas joined in 2016. The team is positioning itself as the 'American' F1 team, with hopes of tapping into the growing U.S. motorsports market and potentially fielding American driver Colton Herta in the future.

The details

The Cadillac F1 team was initially envisioned by Michael Andretti, but when his bid was denied, the project was taken over by TWG Motorsports and General Motors. The team will race under the 'MAC-26' name, a nod to 1978 F1 champion Mario Andretti. Despite facing numerous obstacles and being told 'no' and 'never,' the team persisted and will now make its debut in Australia. The team's headquarters are split between facilities near Silverstone in the UK and Fishers, Indiana.

  • Cadillac's initial shakedown test took place at Silverstone in January 2026.
  • The team participated in F1's official preseason testing in Barcelona and Bahrain in February 2026.
  • The Australian Grand Prix, where Cadillac will make its debut, is scheduled for March 16, 2026.

The players

TWG Motorsports

The ownership group that acquired the Cadillac F1 team, led by Mark Walter and Dan Towriss. The group also owns stakes in several other major sports properties.

General Motors

The American automotive manufacturer that is partnering with TWG Motorsports to bring the Cadillac brand to Formula 1.

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.

Colton Herta

The American driver who, if he has a successful season in F2, could become the first American driver in F1 since Logan Sargeant in 2023.

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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 (adn.com)

“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, Co-owner, TWG Motorsports (adn.com)

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

Cadillac's entry into F1 represents a long-held American dream finally coming to fruition, as the brand looks to tap into the growing U.S. motorsports market and establish itself as a global luxury player. The team's bold and gritty approach, along with its American identity, could resonate with fans and help drive further interest in the sport stateside.