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Cadillac's entry into Formula 1 reached a defining moment as the American manufacturer unveiled its inaugural race livery during a prime-time advertisement at Super Bowl LX, broadcasting to millions during the Seattle Seahawks' victory over the New England Patriots. This strategic reveal represented far more than a cosmetic exercise—it was a deliberate statement of intent from General Motors, making its first-ever venture into the sport's pinnacle competition.
Rather than following the conventional team launch event format that has characterized F1 entries for decades, Cadillac seized one of the world's most culturally significant sporting occasions to introduce its identity to a global audience. Team Principal Graeme Lowdon acknowledged the significance, stating: "We are a team built on bold ambition and leadership in innovation, values which we exhibited today by tapping into one of the most culturally significant sporting events in the world in a manner that has never been done by a Formula 1 team before."
The livery itself commands attention through its distinctive asymmetrical split design, featuring pristine white on one side of the car and striking black on the other. This deliberate aesthetic choice represents what the team describes as a "yin-and-yang balance expressed through stark black and white, where grit, determination, and performance meet aspiration, optimism and ambition."
The concept echoes historical precedent within Formula 1. The design draws comparison to BAR's 1999 livery, which similarly employed a two-sided approach to accommodate multiple sponsor categories—a practical solution that has become something of a nostalgic reference point in the sport. However, Cadillac's interpretation carries deeper philosophical intent. CEO Dan Towriss emphasized: "Every detail is intentional: bold, modern, and unmistakably American, while respecting the heritage and precision that define this sport."
Cadillac's ambitions are underscored by its driver selection, featuring two experienced race-winning professionals. Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez bring formidable credentials, having combined to score 16 Grand Prix victories, 23 pole positions, and 106 podium finishes. Bottas's five seasons at Mercedes during their dominance provided him with championship-caliber engineering exposure, while Perez's marketing appeal and technical consistency represent valuable assets for the fledgling team's development.
The Ferrari-powered challenger runs a Ferrari customer power unit, positioning Cadillac within the established infrastructure of the Scuderia supply chain. The livery showcases principal partners including TWG AI on the sidepods, Jim Beam bourbon on the bargeboards, and Mexican telecommunications company Claro—a long-standing Perez sponsor—alongside Tommy Hilfiger branding on the nosecone.
Following the Barcelona Shakedown where the team ran a special one-off design featuring founding members' names, Cadillac's racing campaign accelerates rapidly. Official pre-season testing at Bahrain International Circuit begins February 11-13, with the second test scheduled for February 18-20. This compressed schedule demands immediate performance validation before the Melbourne season-opener.
Cadillac's entrance represents Formula 1's first all-new team in a decade, carrying the weight of American motorsport expectation and General Motors' corporate commitment. The two-sided livery isn't merely paint—it symbolizes ambition tempered by pragmatism, tradition melded with innovation.
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.