Cadillac Launches F1 2026 Operations at Silverstone Amid US Base Build

Cadillac will run its 2026 Formula 1 program from Silverstone while its U.S. headquarters is completed, debuting as the 11th constructor at the Australian Grand Prix on March 6–8, 2026.

Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez lead the driver lineup. The team races under an American license but operates across Europe and the United States.

Silverstone handles logistics, aerodynamics, and mechanical design for the 2026 car, providing a proven base while systems and processes bed in.

The Fishers, Indianapolis headquarters nears half a million square feet and ultimately hosts most car manufacturing and integration work.

Team boss Graeme Lowdon says building and staffing to aerospace-grade standards for 2026 is unrealistic, making a full Indianapolis launch before completion impossible.

The interim model ties sites across two continents, using a NASA-inspired structure that prioritizes disciplined communication and clear interfaces between specialist groups.

Lowdon describes one seamless team with “long corridors” stretching across the Atlantic to keep collaboration tight despite geography.

Cadillac secures exclusive use of Toyota’s wind tunnel in Germany and runs a power unit base in North Carolina to support development.

Until 2029, Cadillac competes as a Ferrari customer team. The in-house power unit targets the new regulatory cycle while ensuring immediate competitiveness under the 2026 ruleset.

Hiring accelerates, with more than 120 staff added since the 2025 summer break to build design, production, and operations capability.

The 2026 reset rewards tightly integrated packaging and operations. Experience concentrated at Silverstone reduces early risk, while rivals manage their own transitions, including Red Bull’s 2026 plans.

Cadillac now finalizes its American base while managing day-to-day running from the UK. The approach mirrors modern motorsports programs and aligns with evolving auto racing industry trends.

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Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.