Full Breakdown
Cadillac F1 Team Unveils Major Upgrade for First U.S. Race at Miami Grand Prix
5/2/2026, 6:18:55 AM
Home Debut on American Soil
On the weekend of May 2024, the Cadillac Formula 1 team made its United States debut at the Miami Grand Prix, the fourth race of its inaugural season. Drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez ran a one-off stars-and-stripes livery supplied by primary partner TWG AI.
Team Background & Leadership
Cadillac’s entry was approved less than 14 months ago after Michael Andretti secured the franchise; 2026 car bears Mario Andretti’s name. In first three races best finishes were 13th (Bottas in China) and 15th (Perez), leaving team 10th in constructors’ standings, ahead of Aston Martin. Led by CEO Dan Towriss, team principal Graeme Lowdon, GM executives Mary Barra and Mark Reuss, and VP Jim Campbell, the outfit has Formula 2 driver Colton Herta slated for a seat.
Upgrade Package Overview
A five-week pause caused by the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix—prompted by the war in Iran—gave Cadillac time to install its first upgrade to the MAC-26 chassis. Lowdon called the package “fairly substantial,” centred on a new floor and complemented by front-wing flaps, endplates, floor boards and rear brake drums. Motorcyclesports identified nine components, including a mirror stay and diffuser. The upgrade arrives for a sprint-format weekend, limiting practice.
Team Perspectives
CEO Dan Towriss highlighted the pride of racing at home. Lowdon noted the team’s “teething phase” and the advantage of rivals with “team muscle memory.” Bottas said he hopes the upgrade will deliver a “bigger step” than other newcomers, and Campbell called the event “super special.” Lowdon added that gains hinge on the “relative delta” versus teams that have run thousands of races, while Bottas cited a lack of down-force.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the upgrade’s exact makeup: some enumerate nine distinct components, while others describe a broader set of aerodynamic and weight-saving changes without itemising each part. No performance data from the Miami session is available, leaving the upgrade’s effect unverified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Racing at home for the first time is a major milestone for this team and something we’ve been looking forward to for a long time,” — Dan Towriss, CEO
- “It’s spread over different parts of the car so probably the main area is the floor, but there are also changes on front and rear brakes, front wing as well,” — Graeme Lowdon, Team Principal
- “I hope that we can make a bigger step than some other teams,” — Valtteri Bottas, Driver
- “We’ve been looking forward to this day.” — Jim Campbell, VP of Performance and Motorsports Commercial Operations
What’s Next
Cadillac will monitor the upgrade during the Miami sprint weekend, where limited practice restricts data. The team aims to turn any gains into improved qualifying and race results while advancing development toward a competitive package. It also plans to promote Formula 2 driver Colton Herta to a race seat.
