By Ed Green
Throughout the first five races of this stop-start F1 season, Cadillac have been operating relatively under the radar. They have not had much TV coverage, and have spent most of their time running at the back of the field. This gives the impression that they have had a disappointing start to the season, so let’s break it down in more detail:
Cadillac’s reliability has been impressive. They have only experienced two DNFs this season; a stronger record than many top teams, such as McLaren and Red Bull. This reliability is why Cadillac currently sit 10th in the Constructors’ Championship, ahead of Aston Martin. Whilst both teams have been slow, and currently sit on 0 points, Cadillac’s superior reliability has allowed them to achieve better race results than Aston Martin, giving them an edge in the standings.
Despite their strong reliability, speed is becoming more of a problem for Cadillac. It is only a matter of time until legendary engineer Adrian Newey brings upgrades at Aston Martin, and it is unclear whether Cadillac will be able to keep up with them. Cadillac are already being left behind by the rest of the grid; they have failed to finish a race on the same lap as the leader so far, with them finishing as much as 4 laps down in Canada. It is safe to say that, if Cadillac do not bring significant upgrades over the next few races, they could be firmly at the back of the grid by the Summer break.
Outside of Formula 1, Cadillac junior driver and prospect Colton Herta has endured a frustrating start to his Formula 2 campaign. The 9-time IndyCar race winner has failed to qualify higher than 14th, and currently sits 12th in the Drivers’ Championship, already 41 points off the lead. If Herta fails to cope in Formula 2, Cadillac’s future driver line-up could be called into question; he is meant to be a team leader for years to come, and Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez are not getting any younger.
Whilst there is certainly no need for panic at Cadillac, the next few races will be tense for F1’s newest American team. If upgrades bring them speed, and Herta performs at his best, 2026 could be a really positive debut season. However, if speed continues to elude them, Cadillac could be set for a lonely time at the back of the grid. Only time will tell whether they can put their first points on the board and beat Aston Martin over the course of a season.
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