Blog

Behind every Formula 1 car is a team of engineers, strategists, and drivers working around the clock to find every last fraction of a second. For the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, one of those key contributors is not a seasoned racing veteran or a former Grand Prix driver. He is a teenager from Michigan named Aiden Price, and his story is one of the most remarkable in motorsport right now. It started with a vacation. When Cadillac F1 sim driver and Indianapolis 500 winner Simon Pagenaud needed time off during the team's intense pre-debut preparations, someone had to step in to keep the virtual laps going. Matt Borland, Director of Motorsport Competition Programs for Cadillac, turned to Greg Price, a Design and Manufacturing Manager for GM Motorsports, with an unconventional suggestion: what about his son? At just 14 years old, Aiden Price had already built an impressive racing resume with multiple wins in micro sprints on short oval tracks and a reputation as one of the most technically capable young drivers on iRacing, the world's premier online sim-racing platform. He had even developed a side business creating and selling custom car setups to other iRacing drivers online. With permission from his high school principal, Greg pulled Aiden out of class for an evaluation in front of the Cadillac F1 team. Within 15 minutes, the team had seen enough. They asked the question any teenager would love to hear: "Any chance you can miss school tomorrow?" Aiden is now enrolled in online high school, giving him the flexible schedule needed to work alongside Cadillac's professional sim drivers Pagenaud and former Formula 1 driver Pietro Fittipaldi. The learning curve has been steep. A modern Formula 1 car involves thousands of variables and a cockpit full of electronic adjustments that can dramatically alter the way the car behaves from corner to corner. "It took me a long time to learn what everything did," Aiden says, "but once you understand it all, it makes sense." Much of that understanding came long before Cadillac ever entered Formula 1. Growing up alongside his father Greg, Aiden spent years learning the nuances of car setup in both the real and virtual worlds. "I've always worked with him on setting up cars," Greg says. "He's very in tune with everything we do on our race cars." In Formula 1, official on-track practice time is tightly restricted by series regulations, making simulator work absolutely essential. "You can run them all the time, try new things, and figure out what works, from driving techniques to setups," Greg explains. "That's how the Cadillac MAC-26 Formula 1 car was developed. Every single detail was built in simulation, and from there, it went to the UK to be manufactured." The real-world impact of Aiden's simulator work has already been felt at race weekends. In the buildup to the 2026 Miami Grand Prix, Aiden was testing a virtual suspension upgrade for the MAC-26 when the team decided they needed the new parts built and shipped to Miami overnight. Greg received the call after hours, arranged for the parts to be manufactured, and caught the first flight to Miami, arriving at the track with components that Aiden had helped develop in the simulator just the day before. "It was a neat thing to see," Greg recalls. Aiden's contributions extend beyond Formula 1. He has also logged simulator laps for both the Cadillac LMDh and Chevrolet INDYCAR programs at the GM Motorsports Charlotte Technical Center, contributing to a collaborative approach that connects learnings across all of GM's racing disciplines. The same pursuit of performance and precision that drives the Cadillac Formula 1 Team lives in every vehicle on our showroom floor. Stop by Heritage Cadillac to experience that commitment for yourself.

Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA is headed back to Brazil with its sights set on another standout performance in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) as the team prepares for the Rolex 6 Hours of São Paulo at the legendary Autódromo José Carlos Pace, better known as Interlagos. The event holds special significance for Cadillac Racing. Last season, the team delivered a historic 1-2 finish—the first by a U.S. manufacturer in the Hypercar class of the FIA WEC. The milestone victory marked Cadillac's first-ever WEC win and showcased the performance of the Cadillac V-Series.R on the global stage. This year, the No. 38 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R will be piloted by Jack Aitken, Earl Bamber, and Sébastien Bourdais, while Norman Nato and Will Stevens will share driving duties in the No. 12 entry as Alex Lynn continues his recovery. Following a strong showing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where Cadillac demonstrated impressive speed throughout the race, the team enters São Paulo with confidence and momentum. Cadillac Racing Program Manager Keely Bosn noted that last year's victory was more than just a race win—it reinforced Cadillac's ability to compete with the world's best while providing valuable insights that help shape future performance and technology. Drivers from both Cadillac entries are equally eager to return to the iconic Brazilian circuit. Several reflected on the unforgettable atmosphere, passionate fans, and memorable podium celebration following last year's victory, while others are excited to experience the challenging Interlagos track for the first time. The Rolex 6 Hours of São Paulo promises another exciting chapter in Cadillac Racing's pursuit of championship success. As the team looks to build on last year's breakthrough victory, fans can expect another determined effort from the Cadillac V-Series.R as it continues to compete among the world's premier endurance racing teams.

What happens when two world-class Formula 1® drivers, two high-performance Cadillac V-Series vehicles, and a racetrack come together? An unforgettable showdown. Cadillac recently released a new YouTube video featuring Cadillac Formula 1® Team drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio "Checo" Pérez as they go head-to-head in a friendly competition behind the wheel of two of Cadillac's most exciting performance models. The challenge begins with the all-electric Cadillac OPTIQ-V luxury performance SUV, where both drivers tackle a demanding precision slalom course that puts the vehicle's agility and handling to the test. Next, they climb into the exhilarating Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing performance sedan for a flying lap around the circuit, showcasing the incredible capability and engineering of Cadillac's V-Series lineup. Keeping a close eye on every fraction of a second is Cadillac V-Series Lead Development Engineer Alex Doss, who serves as the official timekeeper for the competition. With Bottas and Pérez bringing their elite racing skills—and plenty of friendly rivalry—the video highlights the performance, precision, and excitement that define Cadillac's V-Series vehicles. Who comes out on top? You'll have to watch the video to find out. One thing is certain: whether on the racetrack or the open road, Cadillac's V-Series lineup continues to deliver thrilling performance worthy of world-class drivers.

Cadillac Racing continues to make an impact both on and off the track, recently earning the prestigious 2026 DHL Sustainable Endurance Award in the Hypercar category. Presented in conjunction with the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans by the FIA, ACO, and DHL, the award recognizes outstanding sustainability efforts within endurance racing. Cadillac Racing was honored for its comprehensive sustainability program, which focuses on reducing environmental impact through measurable initiatives across race logistics, hospitality operations, waste reduction, procurement practices, and community engagement. Judges praised the team's structured approach and the tangible results achieved throughout its Le Mans operations. Among the standout initiatives was Cadillac Racing's commitment to more sustainable transportation methods. The team increased its use of sea freight for transporting equipment, utilized rail travel for U.S.-based staff traveling between Paris and Le Mans, and expanded local sourcing and storage solutions throughout Europe to reduce emissions associated with logistics. The award also recognized Cadillac Racing's efforts to improve sustainability within its hospitality operations. The team implemented energy monitoring systems, reused hospitality structures, utilized LED lighting and energy-efficient appliances, and adopted strategies to reduce overall energy consumption. Cadillac Racing's catering program made significant strides as well, lowering the average carbon footprint of meals through increased plant-based offerings, reduced beef consumption, local sourcing initiatives, and food donation programs that supported local charitable organizations. Additional achievements included reducing single-use plastics through reusable water bottle programs, hydration stations, and the elimination of disposable plastic products in hospitality areas. These efforts helped prevent thousands of plastic bottles from entering the waste stream. Beyond environmental initiatives, Cadillac Racing was also recognized for its support of women in motorsports and STEAM programs, responsible procurement practices, and meaningful community outreach efforts in the Le Mans region. Accepting the award on behalf of the team, Cadillac Racing representatives emphasized that the recognition reflects the dedication of countless team members, partners, suppliers, and organizations working together to improve sustainability throughout the sport.

The checkered flag drops. The champagne flows. The crowd erupts. For most of us, that is where the story ends. But for the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, the moment the race is over is the moment the next one begins. Season 2 of Cadillac's original series "What Makes Fast" pulls back the curtain on what happens in the hours and days immediately following a race weekend, and the answer might surprise you. There is no rest, no celebration tour, and no downtime. There is only work. Just days after stepping out of the car on race day, Cadillac F1 driver Valtteri Bottas is already strapped back into the team's simulator at the GM Technical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. His mission is a process known as correlation: matching his real-world, seat-of-the-pants impressions from the race to the car's detailed digital counterpart. In Formula 1, on-track time is tightly regulated, which means the vast majority of a car's development has to happen in the virtual world. Getting the simulator to accurately mirror the real car is not just helpful. It is essential. Sim driver Simon Pagenaud and the full simulator team in Charlotte dedicate countless hours to making sure the digital version of the car behaves exactly like the physical one. Every nuance, every handling characteristic, every split-second reaction the driver experiences on track has to be faithfully reproduced in the simulator before meaningful development work can begin. When that correlation is dialed in, the payoff shows up exactly where it matters most: on the track, from Friday practice all the way through Sunday's podium celebrations. It is an exciting time to be a Cadillac fan. Watching the brand compete at the highest level of motorsport is a powerful reminder of the engineering excellence and relentless drive for performance that defines Cadillac. Those same qualities are present in every vehicle on our showroom floor.

Performance and luxury have always gone hand in hand. Now, Cadillac is taking that passion to the world’s biggest racing stage. This weekend, the Cadillac Formula 1 Team competes in its first-ever race on U.S. soil at the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, marking a historic moment for the brand. To celebrate the occasion, Cadillac has unveiled something truly extraordinary: the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing F1 Collector Series—the first vehicle from an American automaker to wear official Formula 1® branding. Limited to just 26 handcrafted examples, the CT5-V Blackwing F1® Collector Series commemorates the year Cadillac officially joined the Formula 1® grid. Inspired by the striking design and performance of the team’s MAC-26 racecar, this ultra-exclusive sedan combines motorsport energy with Cadillac craftsmanship in spectacular fashion. Finished in a dramatic Midnight Stone Frost exterior accented with silver, gray, and black details, the Collector Series features Formula 1® and FIA® branding throughout, giving it an unmistakable track-inspired presence. Beneath the hood, Cadillac engineers—working alongside GM Motorsports—enhanced the supercharged 6.2L V8 to deliver an incredible 685 horsepower, paired with a six-speed manual transmission for an engaging, performance-focused driving experience. Each model also comes equipped with Cadillac’s Precision Package, adding carbon-ceramic brakes and advanced chassis upgrades designed to maximize track capability while maintaining the refinement expected from a Cadillac V-Series vehicle. Beyond the car itself, Cadillac is embracing the excitement of Formula 1® in a major way throughout Miami race weekend. Fans visiting the Miami Design District will have the opportunity to experience Cadillac Formula 1® Team Headquarters, featuring V-Series displays, team merchandise, and live viewing experiences for the Sprint Race, Qualifying, and Grand Prix events. As Formula 1® continues to grow across North America, Cadillac’s arrival to the sport represents more than just competition—it signals a bold new era for American luxury performance on a global stage. At Heritage Cadillac, we’re proud to see Cadillac pushing boundaries both on the road and on the racetrack. And with the debut of the CT5-V Blackwing F1® Collector Series, that future has never looked more exciting.

What once seemed like an ambitious vision has quickly become one of motorsport’s most remarkable success stories. In just 366 days, the Cadillac Formula 1 Team transformed from an idea into a fully operational racing organization—placing two cars on the starting grid for Formula 1®’s season-opening race in Australia. The journey to that moment was anything but easy. From early simulations and testing to the team’s first on-track shakedown at Silverstone Circuit, every milestone represented months of dedication, innovation, and relentless effort behind the scenes. The season finale of What Makes Fast offers an inside look at those final days leading up to the team’s historic debut. Spanning multiple continents, the episode follows operations from the GM Motorsports Charlotte Technical Center to the team’s Silverstone headquarters and ultimately to the race paddock in Australia, where the dream officially became reality. Along the way, key figures helped bring the project to life, including Simon Pagenaud, whose simulator work played a critical role in preparation, and Mary Barra, who was present in Australia to witness the team’s first Formula 1® race weekend firsthand. What stands out most is not just the speed of the achievement, but the passion and teamwork behind it. The opening race in Australia marked more than the start of a season—it signaled the beginning of a bold new era for Cadillac on the global motorsports stage. With momentum already building after an encouraging debut, it’s clear this first chapter is only the beginning of an exciting journey ahead.

At Cadillac, performance has always been more than power, it’s about precision, confidence, and the pursuit of excellence. That spirit continues this month as Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA launches its 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship season at the legendary Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy. Set against one of motorsport’s most iconic backdrops, the 6 Hours of Imola on April 19 marks the beginning of another exciting chapter for Cadillac’s global racing presence. Before race weekend officially begins, the team will take part in the WEC Prologue on April 14, a crucial testing session that allows drivers and engineers to fine-tune every detail before competition begins. Cadillac enters the season with remarkable momentum after an exceptional 2025 campaign that delivered the brand’s first FIA WEC victory, three pole positions, and consistent points finishes throughout the year. It’s a testament to the innovation, craftsmanship, and performance engineering that define every Cadillac vehicle, from the racetrack to the roads of Morrow. Returning to the No. 12 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R, drivers Norman Nato and Will Stevens once again pilot Cadillac’s sophisticated endurance prototype, powered by the purpose-built 5.5-liter DOHC V8 engine. Their precision behind the wheel reflects the same balance of athleticism and refinement that Cadillac drivers appreciate in every journey. The No. 38 entry sees the return of Earl Bamber and Sébastien Bourdais, whose strong qualifying pace and podium success last season further underscored Cadillac’s growing presence among the world’s elite racing manufacturers. Their efforts this season continue to showcase Cadillac’s relentless drive toward innovation and world-class performance. Preparation for Imola has already been promising, with the team completing nearly 450 laps of successful testing in Qatar, reinforcing the reliability and engineering excellence behind the V-Series.R platform. That dedication to perfection mirrors the philosophy behind Cadillac’s luxury lineup, where advanced technology, premium comfort, and dynamic capability come together seamlessly. The Imola circuit itself is the perfect stage for Cadillac’s bold racing identity. Its narrow, high-speed layout demands confidence, responsiveness, and exacting control, qualities that have become hallmarks of the Cadillac name. For clients of Heritage Cadillac, moments like these are more than motorsport headlines, they are a reminder that the same spirit of innovation and performance seen on the world stage inspires the vehicles in our showroom every day. From exhilarating V-Series engineering to the refined elegance of our luxury SUV lineup, Cadillac continues to deliver an ownership experience rooted in distinction. As the lights go out in Imola, Cadillac once again demonstrates what it means to lead with confidence, sophistication, and performance without compromise.

In Formula 1, greatness is measured in two ways. The championship crowns the best driver on the grid while also recognizing the constructor that earns the most points throughout the season. This unique structure highlights Formula 1’s dual nature, it’s both the ultimate test of driver skill and a proving ground for some of the world’s most advanced engineering. At Heritage Cadillac, we’re excited to see Cadillac step onto the global stage of Formula 1, where innovation, precision, and performance define success. A new episode of the series What Makes Fast takes fans behind the scenes to explore one of the sport’s most fascinating and often overlooked tools: the race simulator. While it may sound purely technical, simulator calibration is actually a collaborative and highly human process. Following an official Formula 1 shakedown at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Cadillac Formula 1 Team drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez returned to the team’s simulator facility in Charlotte to compare their real-world impressions of the race car with the simulator’s digital model. The goal is simple but critical: ensure the simulator behaves exactly like the real car on track. When the simulator mirrors real performance, engineers can rely on the data it generates to refine the car’s setup, test strategies, and improve overall performance. This creates a continuous feedback loop. As the simulator becomes more accurate, engineers can make better decisions. As the race car evolves on track, the data collected helps further refine the simulator. The result is a powerful cycle of improvement that benefits both drivers and engineers. With the first race weekend of the season approaching in Australia, the team is focused on refining every detail. Each race provides valuable real-world data that helps push development even further. In Formula 1, every car is essentially a constantly evolving prototype, and relentless improvement is the only path to the top. For Cadillac, this journey represents a bold step into the pinnacle of motorsport, and a showcase of the engineering excellence and performance mindset that also define the vehicles you experience every day. At Heritage Cadillac, we’re proud to see Cadillac innovation competing at the highest level of racing.

Cadillac’s journey into Formula 1 reached an exciting new chapter as the Cadillac Formula 1® Team completed its first-ever on-track laps at the historic Silverstone Circuit. The milestone marks a major step forward as the American team prepares for its highly anticipated debut in the world’s premier motorsport series. Behind the wheel for the landmark run was Sergio Pérez, who guided the team’s car around the legendary circuit during a pre-season promotional filming day. The session served a dual purpose—capturing the first official on-track footage while also completing a critical shakedown to verify that all vehicle systems were functioning as expected ahead of official pre-season testing. The car took to the track in an all-black livery, with the final 2026 Cadillac Formula 1® Team design scheduled to be revealed during a globally televised championship broadcast. The unveiling will introduce the team’s bold new look to fans across the United States and around the world. Team CEO Dan Towriss described the moment as a proud milestone for everyone involved. “Watching the car roll out of the garage is a moment of pride,” he said. “The first laps on track mark the culmination of thousands of hours of work driven by pure passion. This is just the beginning as we continue toward Melbourne and beyond.” Team Principal Graeme Lowdon echoed that sentiment, noting that the day represented countless hours of dedication and belief from the entire organization. The session also gave the team valuable time to work together in a live garage environment and confirm that systems were performing as intended. For Pérez, the experience was emotional and motivating. “Everyone should feel incredibly proud to complete our first laps as a team,” he said. “Each and every person has worked so hard to get to this moment. It’s just the start.” Teammate Valtteri Bottas also reflected on the historic occasion, praising the team for reaching such an important milestone and expressing excitement for the work still to come. As Cadillac continues its preparations for the upcoming Formula 1 season, the successful first laps at Silverstone signal strong momentum and growing anticipation for the brand’s entry onto the global racing stage.

Cadillac has officially taken a historic step onto the global motorsports stage. The Cadillac Formula 1® Team reached a major milestone as Sergio “Checo” Perez completed the team’s first-ever on-track laps during a pre-season promotional filming day at the legendary Silverstone Circuit in England. This landmark moment marks the first time the American-backed Cadillac Formula 1® Team has seen its car run on track, signaling real momentum as preparations continue for the team’s highly anticipated Formula 1® debut. The session served a dual purpose: capturing promotional footage while also conducting an initial shakedown to ensure all systems performed as expected ahead of official pre-season testing. Running in an all-black livery, the car delivered a striking first appearance at Silverstone. Cadillac has announced that the official 2026 Cadillac Formula 1® Team livery will be unveiled on Sunday, February 8, during a globally televised championship broadcast — a bold and exciting way to introduce the team to fans in the U.S. and around the world. Dan Towriss, CEO of Cadillac Formula 1® Team Holdings, reflected on the significance of the moment: “Watching the car roll out of the garage is a moment of pride. The first laps on track mark a historic milestone — the culmination of thousands of hours of work driven by pure passion. This is just the beginning as we push forward toward Melbourne and beyond.” Team Principal Graeme Lowdon echoed that sentiment, highlighting the team’s rapid progress: “Today represents countless hours of hard work and belief from everyone involved. It was a valuable opportunity to operate in a live garage environment, verify systems, and resolve early issues. While this is an important step, our focus now turns to pre-season testing in the coming weeks.” For the drivers, the day carried deep emotional significance. Checo Perez called the experience unforgettable, saying the first laps were “emotional” and motivating as the team begins its journey. Valtteri Bottas, who joined Perez at the event, praised the entire organization for reaching such a major milestone, calling it “special to witness the joy across the team.” At Heritage Cadillac, we’re proud to represent a brand that continues to push boundaries — from luxury vehicles to the pinnacle of global motorsport. The Cadillac Formula 1® Team’s first laps are just the beginning of an exciting new chapter, and we can’t wait to see what’s ahead.

Cadillac’s long-anticipated entry into Formula 1® is rapidly approaching, and excitement continues to build as the iconic American brand prepares to make its historic debut as the Cadillac Formula 1® Team at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 8. Marking a major milestone on the road to the Formula 1® grid, General Motors President Mark Reuss recently unveiled the Cadillac Formula 1® Team’s Special Edition testing livery at GM’s new global headquarters, the Hudson’s Detroit building. This striking livery will be used during the team’s Barcelona Shakedown Week from January 26–30, ahead of the reveal of the official 2026 race livery on February 8. Developed through a cross-continental collaboration between GM Global Design and the Cadillac Formula 1® Team, the testing livery reflects the global reach, creativity, and technical excellence behind Cadillac’s Formula 1® program. The reveal was part of GM’s opening-week celebrations at its new headquarters, where a replica F1® car wearing the Barcelona Shakedown livery was placed on display. Fans will also be able to see the car in person at the Detroit Auto Show through January 25. Designed specifically for pre-season testing, the Barcelona Shakedown livery is distinct from the official race design. Like camouflaged automotive prototypes, testing liveries help conceal aerodynamic details while still expressing the brand’s identity. This bold yet disciplined design features a modern interpretation of the Cadillac crest and shield, precision geometric patterns, and a monochrome palette that delivers a premium, future-forward look aligned with Cadillac’s performance ambitions. A large Cadillac crest draped across the rear of the car artfully disguises aerodynamic surfaces while boldly announcing Cadillac’s arrival on the world stage. As a tribute to the global collaboration behind the program, the names of the founding Cadillac Formula 1® Team members from both the United States and the United Kingdom are also incorporated into the design. At Heritage Cadillac, we’re proud to represent a brand that continues to redefine innovation, performance, and American luxury. As anticipation builds toward the Barcelona Shakedown, the race livery reveal, and the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Cadillac’s Formula 1® debut stands as a landmark moment for American motorsport on the global stage.