Cadillac F1 aims to exceed expectations, says Towriss

As Cadillac F1 prepares to join the grid in 2026, TWG Motorsports CEO Dan Towriss is setting the tone with bold ambitions.

Spearheading the American brand’s long-awaited entry into the sport, Towriss says the team isn’t just here to participate — it’s aiming to outperform expectations, bolstered by the deep emotional connection U.S. fans have with the Cadillac name.

The manufacturer’s path to F1 hasn’t been smooth. What began as Andretti’s prospective entry into F1 evolved into a General Motors-backed project, facing stiff resistance from the sport’s commercial rights holder before finally receiving approval earlier this year.

Overcoming Every Obstacle Step by Step

Through it all, Towriss was a central figure, keeping the vision alive and pushing the project across the line. The American executive now sees the team’s entry as a chance to showcase U.S. innovation and build a legacy in the pinnacle of motorsports.

“It was very difficult to get over the line,” Towriss told SiriusXM via RACER. “But I think from where we stand today, our project, our effort, the Cadillac Formula 1 team is better off having gone through that.

“Formula 1, it shouldn’t be easy. This is the pinnacle of motorsports. And believe me, they didn’t make it easy.

“There were times, yeah, it was frustrating. It was like a moving goalpost. You would do the work, you got to a place, and then it was like, ‘and here’s another thing you need to do.’ But we did it. We did it in spades. We got in.

“But I will say, now that we’re in, we’ve been very welcomed by Formula 1. The support from the FIA, the welcome from the other teams has been fabulous.

“So, as we like to say, our work continues at pace, and we’re getting ready for 2026.”

‘A Team Fans Can Really Get Behind’

While the technical challenge ahead is immense, Towriss is confident that the passion of American fans – and their bond with Cadillac – will serve as a powerful asset in the journey ahead.

“I think just to see what a new team in Formula 1 can do,” he said. “I think this is the time where it’s really going to showcase American innovation, American ingenuity in the car, with GM’s involvement. When you think of what’s happening in Detroit, what’s going to be built there, and Indianapolis, Charlotte…

“From that standpoint, this is a team fans can really get behind. Every single person I’ve talked to has a Cadillac story in some way. You know, their grandfather, their father, their mother, their car — there’s an attachment to the brand.

“And so they’re like, ‘I’m a fan of Formula 1, now I’m a fan of Cadillac Formula 1.’ We don’t want to let those fans down, so every effort is going in to exceed expectations and try to deliver.

“But make no mistake, Formula 1 is very difficult. We know that. And so we’re going to be bringing all that we have to do the best that we can.”

A Grand Unveiling and a Steady Buildup

The brand took its first visible step toward the grid with a high-profile logo launch party in Miami’s South Beach during the Grand Prix weekend — a moment Towriss described as setting the tone for what lies ahead.

“It’s incredible to think about. I think we’ll be a little busier next year and probably a bit more nerves, but that’s really why we wanted to come out and do the logo launch that we had,” he reflected.

“It was to really kind of set the stage and start to show people what Cadillac Formula 1 is going to be about.

“I think a lot of people have known Cadillac’s coming, but what does that mean? What is it going to look like? What is it going to feel like?

“A lot of work has gone into that. And so really was that launch, telling the whole world what that’s going to look and feel like.

“I think some people wanted to see a driver announcement, some people wanted to see a livery announcement, but it’s like, ‘Hey, we’re not going to send everything out on one day!’”

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Instead, Towriss promised a steady buildup.

“There’s a lot of build-up between now and Melbourne in 2026, and so there’s more to come. Hang on, the livery’s coming, drivers will be coming. Don’t put me on the clock, but a lot of things are going to be happening there.”

“There’s a lot of build-up between now and Melbourne in 2026, and so there’s more to come. Hang on, the livery’s coming, drivers will be coming. Don’t put me on the clock, but a lot of things are going to be happening there.

“But it was great just to kind of show the attitude, look and feel, what you can expect from Cadillac Formula 1, and to see all the GM brass show up, TWG Global brass show up, the fans, influencers, media, it was just a great event. We were super excited.”

From perseverance through a tough entry process to ambitious goals for success on track, Towriss and Cadillac are preparing for more than just a debut – they’re aiming to make an impact.

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