McLaren's Brown asserts that Cadillac will bring added value when they join as the 11th F1 team
The automotive world is abuzz with anticipation as the new General Motors-backed Formula One team, operating under the Cadillac brand, gears up for its 2026 debut. The team, supported by TWG Global, is currently in the final stages of preparations, with a focus on securing a competitive edge and establishing a strong presence within the sport.
The entry process for Cadillac took a substantial 764 days, but the team is now well on its way to making its mark. The team principal, Graeme Lowdon, is leading a thorough evaluation process, with ownership decisions shared between GM and TWG Motorsports.
Regarding the team's competition impact, Cadillac enters as the 11th team in the series but faces a challenging debut due to the highly competitive and tightly matched grid. The team is expected to field one of the least competitive cars on the grid in their inaugural season. However, McLaren CEO Zak Brown, who has been vocal about the newcomer, does not worry about short-term losses of employees or sponsors to the General Motors-backed team.
In terms of employee dynamics, Brown acknowledges that Cadillac will attract talent from existing teams. However, he views this as a normal healthy dynamic in F1, pushing teams to improve. The team's European base at Silverstone, near other factories, positions them well within F1's engineering hub, which may intensify talent competition in the region.
For TV deals and commercial impact, Zak Brown views Cadillac’s entry positively for the series' American market engagement. He expects Cadillac's sponsors and the team will attract new investment into Formula 1, potentially boosting American TV deals and increasing fan and commercial interest from the US. This influx of American backing could benefit all teams collectively.
The General Motors-backed team is not just focused on talent poaching and sponsorship. They are expected to contribute more to the sport than just taking employees or sponsors. The team is currently two-thirds of the way towards their goal of reaching a headcount of 600 by next season, and they expect to bring more competition to the series eventually.
Initial opposition to Cadillac's bid came from Formula One and the other 10 teams, due to potential reduction in revenue shares. However, Zak Brown has downplayed these concerns, stating that if someone wants to work for a rival team, it is the responsibility of the team they are leaving.
In March, Cadillac secured approval for their bid to join Formula One, and the team backed by General Motors and TWG Global is no longer the smallest outfit in Formula One. The team has already started hiring staff from rival outfits, a move that Brown does not fear will dilute resources.
In conclusion, the Cadillac F1 team backed by GM and TWG Global is advancing toward their 2026 debut with experienced drivers like Pérez and possibly Bottas. While performance may lag initially, their presence is expected to invigorate talent dynamics and enhance commercial prospects, particularly in the American market, ultimately benefiting the sport despite short-term challenges.
- The Cadillac F1 team, backed by General Motors and TWG Global, is not only focusing on poaching talent and sponsorship but also aims to bring more competition to the series and contribute positively to the sport.
- With their European base at Silverstone, the Cadillac F1 team is strategically positioned within F1's engineering hub, potentially intensifying talent competition in the region.
- The entry of the Cadillac F1 team is seen as a positive move by McLaren CEO Zak Brown, who anticipates that it will boost American TV deals, increase fan and commercial interest from the US, and potentially benefit all teams collectively in the series.
