The fascinating story of Cadillac's journey to F1 and its ambitious plan to be the best in the world

The Miami weekend will mark only the fourth Grand Prix for the new F1 operation. Cadillac has so far taken part in just three races, placing it in stark contrast with established teams such as Scuderia Ferrari, which has competed in more than 1,100 events.

Speaking about the milestone on the Inside the Piranha Club podcast, Lowdon described the opportunity to race in the U.S. as “a real privilege”, highlighting both the sporting and cultural importance of the event for a newly formed American team.

He said: “It’s incredibly exciting. Remarkably, Miami will only be our fourth Grand Prix. This is the pinnacle of motorsport - the greatest team sport in the world - and we have the opportunity to bring an American team to race in America.

Cadillac’s arrival in F1 has come together in a notably short timeframe. While most teams take years to establish themselves, the foundations of this project were built in under a year.

Lowdon revealed that significant work had already been completed before the team’s official entry was confirmed. By the time approval was granted in March 2025, the organisation had already recruited around 320 staff members.

That early investment was crucial. According to Lowdon, committing resources and personnel ahead of formal approval demonstrated credibility to stakeholders across the sport.

The project itself originated after an attempt to purchase an existing team in Sauber ultimately failed, prompting investors to pursue a new entry instead. Lowdon initially joined in a consultancy role before taking on a leadership position.

He recalled a key early moment involving former F1 World Champion Mario Andretti, who told him: “Don’t let me down” - a comment Lowdon said underlined the expectations attached to the programme.

With three races completed, Cadillac are now focused on improving performance rather than early results. Lowdon stressed that progress rate will be the key measure of success for the team.

The break between races has allowed the team to prepare an upgrade package for Miami, using data gathered from its opening events. While additional races would have provided more information, the time at the factory has been used to refine simulations and address early weaknesses.

Lowdon added: “I’ve actually made a conscious effort to pause and take things in, which isn’t something I’ve done much in the past. Formula One is relentless, it doesn’t naturally allow for reflection but I do think it’s important. I’ve encouraged the team to do the same.

“What they’ve achieved in such a short time is exceptional. There have been long nights, significant risks, and people joining before we even had an official entry. Building a race team and developing a car at this level in such a short timeframe is an extraordinary achievement.

“That said, this is sport, and no one is ever satisfied. Everyone wants to go faster and achieve more. Ultimately, we’ll be judged not by where we start, but by how quickly we develop. That’s where our focus lies - how we improve every single day.”

Beyond the track, Cadillac - which announced a special U.S. livery for the race, are continuing to build its presence in the United States. A new facility in Indianapolis is under development and is expected to become a central hub for the project.

The long-term plan is to shift full car production to the U.S., while maintaining technical and aerodynamic operations in the UK. Lowdon emphasised that the strategy is focused on creating new roles rather than relocating existing ones.

He also expressed confidence in the US' ability to support an F1 supply chain, pointing to the country’s broader engineering and manufacturing capabilities.

He said: “I’ve been visiting regularly, and the facility is going to be outstanding. It won’t just serve the team, it will act as a major hub for Formula One in the United States.

“The U.S. has immense capability. If it can send rockets to the moon, it can support a Formula One team! Our aim is to build the best team in the world and one that people are proud to join and reluctant to leave. That applies on both sides of the Atlantic."

Cadillac has opted for experienced drivers to support its first season in Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez. According to Lowdon, their role extends beyond on-track performance, contributing to car development and helping establish team structure and communication.

Their presence has also supported fan engagement, particularly in the US market, where Formula One continues to expand. He said: “We deliberately chose experienced drivers, not just for their performance on track, but for their broader contribution.

While Lowdon acknowledged the importance of racing on home soil, he framed Miami primarily as another step in the team’s development.

Regulation changes introduced for the event, including adjustments to qualifying and race procedures following reviews from the FIA, will add another variable.

But for Cadillac, the priority remains consistent: building performance and improving with each race as it establishes itself within F1 and endear itself to its U.S. fanbase.