The new Cadillac F1 team made a notable move towards their Formula 1 debut in 2026 during the GP weekend in Monza. Behind the scenes, the team conducted a complete simulation of a race weekend as if they were already participating on the grid. With this, the American racing stable aims to ensure that all departments work seamlessly together once the real work begins.
In both Silverstone and Charlotte, the Cadillac F1 team conducted a full simulation of a Grand Prix weekend. From media activities and technical meetings to strategy and execution: everything was set up as if Cadillac was actually participating in the Italian Grand Prix. Cadillac gave a sneak peek behind the scenes via social media.
Team boss Graeme Lowdon emphasized the importance of this step in the run-up to 2026. “We simulate it as if it’s a full race weekend. From Thursday to Sunday, the entire team was fully integrated,” he explained. “It’s not just about simulating races – although that’s obviously crucial – but about the whole process around it.”
According to Lowdon, it’s not just about technology, but mainly about collaboration: “At the last simulation, there were about 50 to 60 engineers involved, both in the United Kingdom and in the United States. The whole weekend was about getting in tune with each other,” said the team boss. “We need to ensure that we don’t end up in a situation in Melbourne where people are speaking or working together for the first time.”
Looking Ahead to 2026
Although no Cadillac has yet appeared on the track, preparations are clearly not standing still. Team boss Lowdon confirmed that the team wants to make the first kilometers with a test car before the end of 2025. With the simulations, test plans, and a growing team, Cadillac is gradually getting closer to the F1 debut. The goal is clear: by 2026, the American manufacturer should be ready for a flawless start to the season in Melbourne.
Here are the images of Cadillac during their first simulation of a race weekend:
