The next steps for Cadillac’s formally confirmed F1 entry

The information that Formula 1 has rubber-stamped Cadillac’s entry into the championship for 2026 is a small however essential milestone for the Andretti-backed challenge, however what comes subsequent is rather more vital.

The Common Motors squad – which is able to begin out as a Ferrari buyer engine workforce whereas it really works to construct its personal engine to make use of from the 2028 F1 marketing campaign – now has to clear a collection of main steps in build up its workforce to be prepared for its debut in grand prix racing.

Totally set up and hyperlink its F1 bases

The Cadillac challenge bears outstanding similarities at its present stage to F1’s present American squad: Haas.

Each groups have established race bases within the UK – with Cadillac primarily based in Silverstone alongside Aston Martin, with Haas down the highway in Banbury. However they every have US headquarters too.

For Cadillac, that is its Efficiency Energy Models firm which will probably be opened in 2026 and can give attention to constructing the workforce’s first F1 engine.

The workforce’s Silverstone base is already in operation, with its aerodynamics and mechanical design departments established for practically a yr throughout a number of massive buildings close to the house of the British GP.

Returning to the Haas comparability, Cadillac – helmed by workforce principal Graeme Lowdon – might want to rigorously handle its communications throughout a number of websites primarily based on totally different continents.

Design and construct its 2026 automobile challenger

At one stage on this course of, Andretti was aiming for a 2025 F1 entry, which might’ve required constructing a automobile for the present guidelines earlier than the transfer to simplified engines and new chassis designs with further moveable aerodynamic elements from subsequent yr. That sophisticated plan was deserted when F1 initially rejected the challenge in early 2024, however Cadillac nonetheless has to nail the 2026 design course of.

Like the ten established F1 groups it should quickly be becoming a member of, it was unable to start out full-scale till 1 January 2025 – though scale mannequin wind tunnel work constructed to outdated F1 design guidelines was permitted. However, not like its rivals, it doesn’t have to fret about balancing present automobile growth sources with the long run automobile challenge.

This will probably be of appreciable benefit by way of simplifying the method for Cadillac, however the workforce nonetheless has to get its 2026 design proper if it needs to be aggressive. A lot of that potential may also be primarily based on how potent the brand new Ferrari energy unit is.

Totally rent and prep its race workforce

Cadillac will want no less than 75 workers members to function two vehicles at every F1 occasion, with the crew needing to be totally drilled and educated.

There’s scope for mechanics and engineers from present groups to maneuver to the brand new challenge and the workforce has already employed a number of acquainted F1 names – together with Lowdon and Pat Symonds as an engineering advisor.

However for this explicit activity, the workforce is bolstered by its hiring of ex-Haas workforce supervisor Peter Crolla, a well-liked member of the Haas operation for its first 10 seasons earlier than departing on the finish of final yr.

Graeme Lowdon within the Stake F1 Staff KICK Sauber storage

Picture by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Photographs

Signal its 2026 driver line-up

That is probably the most high-profile side of the method for Cadillac, given its entry is offering two further seats and will increase the chance of an American driver within the championship for the primary time since Logan Sargeant was dropped from Williams final yr.

Andretti World driver Colton Herta is the early favorite to be signed primarily based on his present workforce’s shut hyperlinks to the challenge.

Many profitable IndyCar drivers equivalent to triple and reigning champion Alex Palou may also be within the body, in addition to ex-F1 drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez. These two will probably be worthwhile to a brand new workforce given their lengthy expertise with profitable squads Mercedes and Crimson Bull respectively, with the latter additionally in a position to deliver sponsorship cash from the Mexican market the place GM is a serious participant.

One other ex-F1 racer and present IndyCar star – Marcus Ericsson – has been serving to Cadillac kind its first F1 simulator.

However one driver understood to not be within the body is one-time Williams driver Jack Aitken, who at the moment races for the Motion Specific Cadillac squad in IMSA and Emil Frey Racing within the DTM, plus an outing set for this yr’s Le Mans 24 Hours.

Autosport understands Aitken considers his time as a single-seater racer to be over and, though he’d be open to serving to Cadillac gear up for F1 in a behind-the-scenes method like Ericsson, he’s totally concentrating on his sportscar exploits.

Colton Herta, Andretti World

Picture by: Penske Leisure

Signal-off its F1 picture and messaging

Always remember F1 is about ‘win on Sunday, promote on Monday’ – even when for Haas meaning promoting advanced machining instruments and never highway vehicles.

Cadillac is due to this fact a way more conventional challenge on this regard and so will possible look to repeat its highly effective engine mantra deployed in IMSA and the World Endurance Championship – albeit by way of buyer workforce operations in these circumstances.

Haas has resolutely deployed its place as ‘America’s F1 workforce’, with further livery tweaks at its dwelling races to focus on the declare it quickly received’t have the ability to use completely.

Will probably be fascinating to see how arduous Cadillac pushes such a message given the entire concept of coming into F1 is about gaining international visibility for an organization’s providing.