Cadillac team chief gives update on progress of 2026 debut F1 car

Cadillac Formula 1 team principal Graeme Lowdon has provided an update on the progress of the team's 2026 car ahead of its debut on the F1 grid, confirming that it is all "on schedule".

The American outfit is set to join the championship in 2026 with drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas and test driver Colton Herta. In addition to building the debut driver line-up, the team has also been developing the first two race chassis.

"The good news is it [the new car, which will be built to sweeping new chassis and power unit regulations] is coming along," Lowdon explained to F1.com. "It's on schedule. We are currently laying up the first two race chassis.

"We built a prototype chassis some time ago and we use that chassis to do all of the equivalent FIA homologation tests. So, there's some very onerous squeeze tests and also the rather dramatic impact tests, which is quite a significant test.

"We've already built the prototype, went through all those tests. We are probably the first team that has done as well, because obviously the other teams have got learnings from their '25 cars and '24 cars and everything.

"We wanted to do that to give ourselves confidence that when we're building the race chassis, we've got a high degree of confidence that we should pass the homologation tests. But now we're actually laying up the actual race chassis and it's on schedule and it's really cool to see."

Cadillac F1 team CEO Dan Towriss walks in the paddock with Cadillac F1 Team Principal Graeme Lowdon.

Photo by: Kym Illman / Getty Images

Cadillac is set to become the first new constructor to join the series since fellow American team Haas joined in 2016. The General Motors-backed team has bases in Indiana, Michigan and Silverstone. Led by team chief Lowdon and CEO Dan Towriss, the team also boasts Nick Chester as chief technical officer and Pat Symonds as executive engineering consultant.

Initially, Cadillac will be using Ferrari engines and gearboxes before it becomes a works team in 2029.