By Joe Morin | May 15, 2026 | @joemorinthef1guy on X
Cadillac’s arrival in Formula One was always anticipated to be one of the most significant stories of the 2026 season. As the sport’s first new team in a decade, expectations were difficult to gauge. Some fans envisioned an American triumph, while others anticipated the team would spend most weekends struggling to survive at the back of the grid.
A few races into the season, the reality lies somewhere in the middle.
Cadillac has yet to score a point, but that alone does not convey the full narrative. For a brand new team entering Formula One during a substantial regulation overhaul, simply being competitive and reliable is already a significant achievement.
The team currently ranks 10th in the Constructors’ Championship with zero points after the opening rounds. Their best finish thus far has been 13th place, while qualifying has generally seen them near the back of the field.
Nevertheless, there are reasons for optimism.
Cadillac wisely prioritized experience over hype when assembling its driver lineup. Former Grand Prix winners Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas were brought in to guide the team through its challenging first year. This decision appears prudent. Both drivers possess the ability to develop cars, manage difficult races, and help a young team avoid chaos.
Perez has demonstrated flashes of speed despite the limitations of the MAC-26 chassis. Bottas, on the other hand, has likely been the steadier of the two drivers, frequently commending the team’s progress and reliability improvements. At the Japanese Grand Prix, Bottas even described one practice session as Cadillac’s “best day so far” after upgrades improved the car’s balance.
This matters more than casual fans may realize.
New Formula One teams typically experience significant challenges in their inaugural season. Even historically successful organizations have faced collapse due to the technical complexity and financial demands of modern F1. Cadillac entered during one of the sport’s most significant regulation changes, effectively placing every team on the grid at a disadvantage.
Consequently, Cadillac’s initial focus has been on reliability and learning rather than immediate results. The team has largely avoided the operational disasters that many anticipated before the season commenced. It has completed races, gathered valuable data, and gradually introduced upgrades to enhance performance.
Additionally, Cadillac is currently utilizing Ferrari power units rather than its own works engine. This season is primarily focused on establishing a foundation. The long-term objective is for General Motors to become a true factory operation capable of challenging established giants such as Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren.
Off the track, Cadillac has arguably achieved success.
The team garnered substantial attention in the United States, launching its livery during the Super Bowl and quickly becoming one of the most discussed new projects in global motorsport. General Motors clearly views Formula One as more than just racing; the company
perceives it as a means to reshape Cadillac’s global image into a true luxury-performance brand capable of competing with Europe’s elite manufacturers.
This broader ambition is significant because Formula One projects are rarely evaluated solely based on results in the first year. Teams are assessed by their trajectory.
Currently, Cadillac’s trajectory appears stable.
The team is not yet fast enough to consistently contend for points, and there are weekends when the gap to the midfield remains substantial. However, the operation does not appear to be in jeopardy. The drivers remain motivated, the engineering group appears organized, and upgrades are beginning to demonstrate minor but discernible improvements.
If Cadillac can eventually compete with teams such as Haas, Sauber, and Alpine later this season, then 2026 will already be considered a successful debut campaign.
No one realistically anticipated podiums this early.
For Cadillac, the true victory in 2026 is proving its place in Formula One. To date, they are doing precisely that.
Joe Morin is a regular contributor to The Sidearmer, specializing in Formula One coverage. He has been following Formula One and other forms of racing for over 30 years. He has even competed in the now-defunct Canadian Karting Championship, finishing second overall in 2008. This gives him a driver’s perspective, complemented by an analyst approach. Morin also has experience in podcasting, having worked behind the microphone for over ten years and as a video and audio editor for The Gorilla Position and Turnbuckle Studios.