Cadillac has abandoned its original asymmetric black-and-white Formula 1 livery after just a few months, switching to a predominantly white design as the permanent base for the remainder of the 2026 season. The change was confirmed by team principal Graeme Lowdon, who cited strong fan feedback from a special livery introduced at the Miami Grand Prix in May.
From Super Bowl Reveal to Permanent Change
Cadillac made a splash in February by unveiling its first-ever F1 livery during a Super Bowl advertisement. The design was intentionally asymmetrical: predominantly white on the left side of the car and predominantly black on the right, creating a yin-yang effect that sparked widespread discussion among fans.
However, by the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, the car driven by Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas appeared in a markedly different livery. The new base design is mostly white on both sides, a departure from the split-color concept that had been the team's identity for the first half of the season.
Miami Livery Drove the Decision
Lowdon explained that the shift was prompted by the reception to Cadillac's first special livery, which debuted at the Miami Grand Prix in May. That design featured a white base with stars-and-stripes motifs to celebrate the team's first home race as an American outfit. The positive fan response was so significant that the team decided to adopt a similar look as its standard livery.
“We launched the asymmetric livery during the Super Bowl halftime show, which we thought was just another way of showing that the team wants to approach Formula 1 a little bit differently,” Lowdon said. “We said we would try and bring a few different things to Formula 1. I think that was a really positive move, and we ran that livery for a while.”
He added: “We then ran a livery in Miami, which was really well received by the fans, and we took account of that. The livery we have now is actually quite similar to that Miami livery.”
Second Special Livery and Continuous Upgrades
Cadillac also introduced a second patriotic livery at the British Grand Prix earlier in July, commemorating the Fourth of July and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the American Declaration of Independence. Lowdon noted that the team has been proactive in experimenting with liveries and upgrades, reflecting its commitment to pushing boundaries.
“As a team, if you look at not just livery changes, but if you look at upgrades, I think we're pretty high up there on the count of upgrades that we've brought to the car,” Lowdon said. “Again, I think it's just a reflection of the way we've tried to approach the entry into Formula 1. It's never been about just getting here, it's always been about trying to get here as a team and do what all the other teams do, which is push the boundaries. We're not just sitting back, whether that's upgrading the car or experimenting with the livery as well. As I've said, the fan reaction has been really positive as well.”
Impact on Team Identity
The decision to permanently switch to a predominantly white livery marks a significant shift in Cadillac's visual identity for its debut F1 season. While one-off liveries are common in the sport, a permanent mid-season change to the base design is rare. The team has emphasized that the move was driven by fan input, signaling a responsive approach to its audience.
Cadillac's new white-based livery is now expected to remain for the rest of the 2026 season, with further special designs possible for future races. The team continues to focus on performance upgrades and building its presence in the championship.
