Cadillac has offered the first tangible glimpse of its Formula 1 future by unveiling a striking, monochrome testing livery ahead of its maiden on-track appearance at Barcelona’s pre-season shakedown. The American marque, set to enter the world championship as an 11th team in 2026, will use the low-key design for its initial running later this month, deliberately prioritising discretion over spectacle.
The Graeme Lowdon-led outfit, operating from a transatlantic base structure spanning Silverstone and the United States, is preparing for its first full year of F1 competition with a driver pairing that blends experience and star power. Former race winners Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez will spearhead Cadillac’s debut campaign, providing the new team with a wealth of technical feedback and racecraft as it navigates the steep learning curve of Formula 1.
Presented at General Motors’ Detroit headquarters by GM CEO Mark Reuss, the temporary Barcelona livery embraces a stealthy black-and-silver colour scheme. Reuss acknowledged that the understated aesthetic follows a long-standing Formula 1 tradition, with teams often opting to disguise aerodynamic surfaces and bodywork details during early testing. The result is a clean, purposeful look that places form firmly behind function.
Despite its minimalist approach, the design carries significant symbolism. Cadillac’s crest is prominently displayed, underlining the brand’s luxury heritage, while the nosecone features the names of the team’s founding members across both the UK and the US—an explicit nod to the collaborative, international nature of the project. According to Reuss, the livery celebrates Detroit’s design legacy while signalling Cadillac’s ambition on the global motorsport stage.
The Barcelona outing represents only the opening act of Cadillac’s carefully choreographed F1 introduction. The definitive 2026 race livery is scheduled to be unveiled on 8 February in an unconventional setting: a high-profile Super Bowl half-time advertisement. The move reflects Cadillac’s intent to challenge established norms in Formula 1 marketing, leveraging one of the world’s most-watched sporting broadcasts to announce its arrival.
Cadillac Formula 1 CEO Dan Towriss described the strategy as a statement of intent, combining heritage with forward-thinking presentation. By pairing the discreet testing colours with a dramatic global reveal, the team aims to build anticipation ahead of official pre-season testing in Bahrain.
Beyond its race drivers, Cadillac has also been assembling depth within its wider programme. Former Sauber racer Zhou Guanyu has been confirmed as a reserve driver for 2026, bringing recent F1 experience, while ex-IndyCar standout Colton Herta will contest Formula 2 as part of a longer-term pathway towards a potential Formula 1 seat.
Key Cadillac F1 Milestones
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| January 2026 | First on-track shakedown in Barcelona |
| 8 February 2026 | Official race livery unveiled during Super Bowl |
| February 2026 | Pre-season testing begins in Bahrain |
| 2026 Season | Cadillac’s debut as F1’s 11th team |
As Cadillac edges closer to its competitive debut, the stealthy Barcelona livery serves as both a teaser and a promise: beneath the restrained exterior lies a project intent on making a lasting impression when the lights finally go out in 2026.
