Cadillac still building its Formula 1 foundations as Fishers factory takes shape

Cadillac’s F1 operation remains a work in progress

Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon says the newest Formula 1 operation is still in the middle of a large-scale build-out, with factories, personnel and infrastructure developing alongside its early racing programme.

The team is operating from several locations. Its main base is in Silverstone, while it also draws on General Motors facilities in North Carolina and Michigan. Cadillac uses Toyota’s wind tunnel in Cologne, Germany, as it continues to establish the resources required for its Formula 1 campaign.

The organisation is also constructing a new factory in Fishers, in the suburbs of Indianapolis. Its power unit operation is being developed in the Charlotte area, where General Motors is already based. On track, Cadillac is still seeking its first Q2 appearance and its maiden world championship points.

Lowdon described the challenge as “building the plane while flying in it, or the ship while we're sailing in it.” He said construction work remains visible even at the heart of the team’s daily operation, with a major project under way in Indianapolis and a smaller one in Silverstone. The power unit company is also building its Charlotte facility, while recruitment continues at pace.

Learning while racing

The early season has given Cadillac an opportunity to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the MAC-26, as well as those of the team’s operational structure. Lowdon said the scale of the task means the team is still making significant improvements rather than simply refining an established system.

“We like to say every day is a school day,” he said. “If it's a day where we haven't learned something, it's a day we've wasted.”

That process is central to Cadillac’s immediate progress. As Cadillac prepares to shift focus towards its 2027 Formula 1 car, the understanding gained from the current campaign will shape how the team develops its next step.

Fishers project to come online in phases

The Fishers site remains under construction, but Lowdon said it is progressing well. The new simulator is being installed, while further announcements are expected on when different parts of the facility will become operational.

The factory will be phased in because of its scale: the site covers 450,000 square feet. Lowdon said activity is also continuing at Silverstone, with the broad expectation that work at Fishers will begin coming online next year. The project is advanced, but its size means Cadillac’s transformation will unfold over time.