Cadillac Formula 1 Team Unveils Special Edition Testing Livery Ahead of 2026 Debut

Cadillac’s move into Formula 1® is quickly becoming reality, with the legendary American luxury brand preparing to debut as the Cadillac Formula 1® Team at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 8.

General Motors President Mark Reuss recently revealed the team’s Special Edition testing livery at GM’s new global headquarters, the Hudson’s Detroit building, marking a significant step toward Cadillac’s arrival on the F1® grid. This early livery will be used during the all-team Shakedown Week in Barcelona, Spain, running January 26 through 30, ahead of the official race livery reveal scheduled for February 8.

The test livery is the result of a collaborative effort between the General Motors Global Design team and the Cadillac Formula 1® Team, highlighting the international scope of the program and the depth of design and engineering talent behind it.

The unveiling took place during opening celebrations at GM’s new headquarters, where a full-scale F1® show car wearing the Barcelona Shakedown livery was displayed. Fans can also view the car at the Detroit Auto Show through January 25.

Unlike the final race livery, this Barcelona Shakedown version is intentionally designed for pre-season development. In Formula 1®, testing liveries are commonly used to conceal aerodynamic elements—similar to camouflaged prototypes in the automotive industry—while still reflecting the brand’s identity.

“Our new testing livery celebrates Detroit’s design legacy and the strength of our global Cadillac Formula 1® team, while keeping key design elements hidden,” said Reuss. “The Barcelona test marks the start, and we’re looking forward to unveiling the full race livery to fans worldwide next month.”

Dan Towriss, CEO of Cadillac Formula 1® Team Holdings, added that the program is focused on pushing boundaries both on and off the track. He noted that the partnership between TWG and GM allows the team to rethink traditional approaches, including introducing the race livery during a globally broadcast championship event. Combined with the specially developed testing livery from GM’s design studios, the approach balances Cadillac’s heritage with its forward-looking vision for the 2026 season.

A Purpose-Built Testing Design

The livery features a monochrome theme that delivers a refined, high-end look, drawing inspiration from a modern interpretation of Cadillac’s crest and shield. A prominent Cadillac emblem stretches across the rear of the car, both masking aerodynamic components and making a bold visual statement about the brand’s entry into global motorsport.

A vertical geometric pattern - executed in alternating gloss and matte finishes—runs throughout the bodywork, subtly disrupting visual clarity to help conceal technical details while reinforcing Cadillac’s design language.

Minimalist linework and controlled colour application create a clean, technical appearance that aligns with Cadillac’s performance ambitions at the highest level of racing.

As a tribute to the transatlantic effort behind the program, the names of founding team members from both the United States and the United Kingdom are integrated into the design.

Looking Ahead

Cadillac will officially unveil its 2026 Formula 1® race livery on February 8, giving fans their first look at the car that will compete throughout the season.

Presenting the testing livery at the Hudson’s Detroit building also reinforces Cadillac’s deep roots in the city. Located just a short distance from the brand’s original headquarters, the new GM global HQ serves as a symbolic bridge between Cadillac’s heritage and its future on the Formula 1® stage.