(Motorsport-Total.com) – Formula 1 newcomer Cadillac started its first season as expected: Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez mostly trailed in the Cadillac MAC-26 – without realistic chances for championship points. The vehicle’s color design also appears similarly unspectacular: Cadillac relies on unusual asymmetrical patterns in the first year, but exclusively in black and white with chrome accents.
Read more Why Pirelli is bringing harder Formula 1 tires to Monaco in 2026
Why the US team – unlike many competitors – refrains from distinctive color accents was explained by CEO Dan Towriss as follows: “The significance of colors played a central role in the development of the design.”
“Black stands for the bold, determined aura of the vehicle. The black side of the vehicle appears aggressive, almost intimidating. It conveys character and presence.”
The Cadillac Design for 2026
“White, on the other hand, is traditionally considered America’s racing color. Therefore, white had to be part of the vehicle,” said Towriss. White appears to him as “fresh, clear, and optimistic.” The Cadillac identity in Formula 1 arises “from the balanced interplay of these two opposites,” explained Towriss.
Read more Ferrari: Why the Canadian GP could be the moment of truth
Why Cadillac forgoes its “house colors” in Formula 1
But there were other possibilities: The traditional Cadillac house colors include red, yellow, and blue, as seen for example in the classic Cadillac logo. “Many associate Cadillac with these colors,” said Towriss. “But especially in the high-performance segment, we often rely on a monochrome appearance – for example with models of the V-Series.”
“It was precisely this brand core that we wanted to align with in the Formula 1 project. After all, it is the ‘king class’ of motorsport. This ultimately led to the color choice of black, white, and chrome as the defining visual identity of the team.”
Read more No hype for Madrid? Critical voices for the Formula 1 debut