Formula 1 News: Dan Towriss gives Cadillac F1 update

With less than six months until the 2026 Formula 1 season kicks off in Australia and just four months before pre-season testing in late January, Cadillac’s chief executive Dan Towriss (pictured) likened the team’s preparation to “building a ship while sailing it.”

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 at the Italian Grand Prix, Towriss expressed confidence in the new team’s progress despite the immense challenges of entering F1 as the 11th team on the grid.

Since Cadillac’s bid was formally approved in March 2025, the team, led by Towriss and team principal Graeme Lowdon, has been racing against time to ensure competitiveness from the outset.

“We’re pretty much on schedule,” Towriss said. “We have good weeks and bad weeks—it’s not linear progress, but we feel good about where we are.”

Operating across multiple locations adds complexity. The team is split between two U.S. facilities, a UK base at Silverstone for chassis design, and a wind tunnel in Cologne. “We’ve had a 60% scale model in the wind tunnel for some time,” Towriss noted.

“In the last two weeks alone, we onboarded 50 new team members. From securing real estate to assembling resources, we’re even preparing to ship equipment in the coming weeks to be ready for the first race.”

Experienced Drivers to Lead the Charge

Cadillac bolstered its lineup in late August, signing veteran drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas to multi-year deals. Both bring extensive experience from stints at Red Bull and Mercedes, respectively, and will return to F1 after sitting out the 2025 season.

“Experience was key for us,” Towriss explained. “Checo and Valtteri know what to expect in the car and have proven success. They’re the right drivers at the right time.” Perez, in particular, stood out during the selection process. “Checo nailed the meeting,” Towriss said. “We were considering a younger driver, but his experience changed our perspective.”

While some expected Cadillac to field an American driver, Towriss emphasized the team’s global outlook while maintaining a distinctly American identity. “It’s a global sport, and we’ll be a global team with many accents,” he said. “But our American roots will shape our partnerships, marketing, and culture.”

As Cadillac continues its rapid buildup, Towriss remains optimistic about the team’s trajectory, ready to navigate the choppy waters of F1’s competitive landscape in 2026.