The long-running effort to put a second American team on the Formula 1 grid becomes reality this weekend as Cadillac makes its debut at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

While the original push was led by Michael Andretti, the project ultimately shifted ownership and is now operated by TWG Motorsports — headed by Mark Walter and Dan Towriss — in partnership with General Motors. After years of resistance from Formula 1 leadership, the group secured approval one year ago and paid a reported $200 million anti-dilution fee to join the series.

Cadillac becomes the first new team to enter Formula 1 in a decade, following the 2016 debut of Haas, according to a story written for the Associated Press by motorsports reporter Jenna Fryer.

The team’s operations include multiple locations, with many key functions based in Fishers, Indiana, where a new headquarters facility is currently under construction. Additional operations are located near Silverstone in the United Kingdom, while General Motors’ power unit facility is based in North Carolina near Hendrick Motorsports.

For its first two seasons, Cadillac will lease engines from Ferrari while its own power unit program is developed. The team’s first car, named the MAC-26 — honoring 1978 world champion Mario Andretti — has already completed shakedown testing and preseason sessions in Europe.

Veteran Formula 1 drivers Sergio “Checo” Perez and Valtteri Bottas have been signed to lead the program in its inaugural season. Perez brings significant popularity in Mexico, an important market for General Motors.

Expectations for a first-year team are modest, as new entries typically struggle to compete immediately in the highly technical and competitive series. Team leadership, however, has made clear its long-term goal is to win — not simply participate.

Cadillac is positioning itself as “America’s team” in Formula 1, embracing a strong national identity and bold branding approach. If IndyCar driver Colton Herta earns a Formula 1 seat in the future, he could become the first American driver on the grid since 2023.

For Fishers, the team’s launch represents a rare connection to one of the world’s most prestigious sports properties, placing the growing Hamilton County city on the global Formula 1 map as the Cadillac program begins its ambitious climb.

Read Jenna Fryer’s Associated Press story at this link.