This Ain’t no Pink Caddy’
Team
Full Name: Cadillac Formula 1 Team
Base: Fishers,
Indiana; Concord, North Carolina; Warren, Michigan; Silverstone, England
Previous Team
Name: None
Key
Personnel
Team Principal(s) Graeme
Lowdon; Dan Towriss, (CEO) Rob White (COO) Chief Technical Officer: Nick
Chester
Stats
First Race: 2026
Australian Grand Prix
Races: 11
Wins: 0
Poles: 0
Last Race Win: None
Chassis
Model: MAC-26
Engine: Ferrari
1.6-litre V-6 Turbo (067/6)
Tyres: Pirelli
Drivers
#11 Sergio Perez,
Mexico
#77 Valtteri
Bottas, Finland
Test/Reserve
Drivers) Guanyu Zhou, China; Colton Herta, USA
Summary
It seems a really long time ago now since Mikey
a’ was “ousted” from His
Andretti Global namesake operation, having competed in IndyCar since 2003 as
Andretti Green Racing. With Michael Andretti having begun as Team Green’s third
wheel under the Team Motorola banner in 2001…
As
I don’t feel like reinventing the wheel over how Dan Towriss and Mark Walters
TWG Group took over Andretti Global in order to gain Cadillac the 11th entry on
Formula 1’s grid, which has been dissected Ad Nauseam! Being their clever way
to diversify their holdings and make money…
GM
announces Cadillac Formula 1 Team’s launch
Interestingly,
wasn’t aware that Cadillac (331 series V-8) powered Kurtis Kraft roadsters had
failed to qualify for the 1952-53 Indianapolis 500, when it was part of the
Formula 1 World championship.
While
ironically, the team’s debutante F1 chassis designation “MAC” is in honour of
Mario Andretti, who serves as an Advisor
on their Board of Directors. And possibly as a “Brand” Ambassador?
Past
IndyCar champion and Indianapolis 500 winner Symone’, nee Pageantry’, aka Simon
Pagenaud is also involved in the Cadillac project. Taking on the role of
Simulator Jockey and enjoying the challenge of improving their new racecar.
With
Pietro Fittipaldi, Charlie Eastwood and Alex Udell also serving as simulator
drivers.
Valtteri
Bottas leads the way in the Driver’s scrum with a best finish of 13th at Shanghai.
While Checo’, nee Sergio Perez has a pair of 14th place finishes at Barcelona
and Silverstone. (As of the Hungarian Grand Prix)
I
don’t want to say I’m out of the loop, but! Before beginning this quick dive
into Team Caddy’s debut F1 season, I was under the illusion that Checo’ had
scored the team’s maiden Formula 1 point. Since I recall hearing somewhere how
the team was “outperforming” last place Aston Martin, Youch!
Little
did I know, after Sergio had apparently finished tenth at the Monaco Grand
Prix. Post-race, Stewards demoted to Perez to 15th – the final car running at
race’s end.
As
Perez’s car had been out of it’s starting box following a ref flag. With
Perez’s penalty ironically moving Frederico Suave’, aka Fernando Alonso into
thenth place. Vaulting Aston Martin ahead of Cadillac “One-Nil” in the vaunted
Constructors standings.
Regardless,
even though I’m barely following Formula 1 this season. I find Cadillac’s
efforts most impressive. Having been rejected in 2023, then gaining tentative
approval in November, 2024, before final approval in March 2025. Giving a
year-plus to design, build, pass scrutineering and successfully debut two team
cars Down Under in Bloody Melbourne this March!
Although
Cadillac’s utilizing a tried ‘n true Ferrari customer PU (Power Unit) until 2029,
when it’s own bespoke General Motors PU comes online. The team could be
struggling the reliability issues rival Aston Martin has with it’s Honda and
chassis Harmonics issues.
As I’d like to believe that sometime after the F1 summer break, Cadillac will score it’s maiden F1 point, and even better yet, surpass Aston Martin in the Constructors battle…
