In a spectacular moment watched by 127.7 million Americans during the Super Bowl, Cadillac revealed the colors of its very first Formula 1 car. The NFL championship game between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, the most-watched TV event in the United States each year, served as the perfect stage for the American team’s bold announcement ahead of its 2026 World Championship debut.

“Super Bowl is one of the rare moments where sport and storytelling merge,” explained Dan Towriss, CEO of Cadillac F1. The cost of the 30-second commercial? A staggering $8 million. Meanwhile, in New York’s Times Square, a replica of the car was gradually “unfrozen,” unveiling the official livery in a dramatic reveal.

Cadillac’s entry comes during a revolutionary year for F1, with the 2026 regulations introducing power units that split power evenly between internal combustion and electric motors, active aerodynamics, the end of ground effect, sustainable fuels, and new strategic controls on the drivers’ steering wheels. This technical reset is designed to level the playing field, offering Cadillac a fresh start to compete at the highest level.

The team has built a robust foundation, headquartered in Fishers, Indiana, with its technical base in Silverstone, UK. In under a year, they’ve hired over 500 staff members. Leading the charge is Graeme Lowdon, former Marussia boss, supported by experienced engineers Pat Symonds, Nick Chester, and Jon Tomlinson. For power units, Cadillac has secured a partnership with Ferrari, utilizing their engines and gearboxes through 2027 while General Motors develops its own powertrain. The collaboration extends beyond technology, with Ferrari providing personnel and technical support.

Experience is Cadillac’s ace in the hole. Their driver lineup features Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez, two seasoned veterans with a combined total of 16 Grand Prix victories and more than 500 race starts. Bottas, 35, raced five successful seasons at Mercedes (2017-2021), collecting 10 wins and finishing as runner-up twice in the world championship. After three challenging years with Alfa Romeo and a year as Mercedes’ third driver, he now has the opportunity to lead Cadillac’s development. “The goal is to make significant progress and avoid finishing last,” Bottas said pragmatically.

Sergio Perez brings six wins to the table — five with Red Bull and one with Racing Point — plus four seasons alongside world champion Max Verstappen. The 2023 world championship runner-up is known for his tire management and racecraft. Although his final 2024 season with Red Bull was tough, Perez, also 35, remains a fast and tactically intelligent driver. He’s expected to be the one who can capitalize on every opportunity during race weekends. “I know what it takes to build a competitive team,” Perez affirmed. Together, Bottas and Perez offer a stable and mature driver pairing without the friction that a fledgling team can ill afford.

Adding to the lineup is Zhou Guanyu, the team’s third driver after spending a year at Ferrari. The 26-year-old Chinese driver has 68 Grands Prix experience with Alfa Romeo and Sauber, scoring points in seven races. Zhou represents vital continuity for Cadillac — having worked extensively on Ferrari’s simulator and tested their 2026 power units, he provides critical development support, allowing Bottas and Perez to focus on race performance. “Joining the team feels like coming home. I’ve worked closely with Graeme and Valtteri for years,” Zhou said.

Cadillac enters Formula 1 with measured ambitions but a solid structure. The choice of the Super Bowl for their unveiling was more than just a media spectacle—it was a statement of intent. America is back in Formula 1 as a serious contender.

As pre-season testing begins this week in Bahrain, the true pace of the new team will start to emerge. But for one night, in front of 127 million American viewers, Cadillac has already won the Grand Prix of visibility.