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Cadillac's Historic F1 Bow: A Modest Beginning Down Under

Cadillac officially launched its Formula 1 journey at the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday, nearly 470 days after securing approval to join the grid. The newest team on the F1 grid showed promise in its debut, with Sergio Perez completing the race in 16th position while teammate Valtteri Bottas encountered mechanical difficulties.

F1 Australian Grand PrixFormula 1

The wait was finally over. After receiving the green light on 25 November 2024, Cadillac made its long-awaited entrance into Formula 1's elite ranks at the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday—marking the completion of a 468-day journey from approval to race day.

Piloting the Ferrari-powered MAC-26, Sergio Perez managed to guide the car across the finish line in 16th place, crossing the line three laps adrift of race victor George Russell. His teammate Valtteri Bottas, however, encountered setbacks that forced him to exit the proceedings prematurely when mechanical gremlins struck on lap 16.

As the sport's first fresh addition to the grid since 2016, Cadillac demonstrated characteristic caution during its baptism by fire in competitive Formula 1 racing. The team's measured approach to this inaugural outing laid the groundwork for what promises to be an intriguing chapter in the championship's ongoing narrative.

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technical Regulations

Art. C1.1

sporting Regulations

Art. B5.16.1

Art. B5.16.2

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Full Regulation Text

Technical Regulations

Article C1.1

FIA Source

Formula One World Championship

Chapter: ARTICLE C1: GENERAL PRINCIPLES

In Simple Terms

The FIA (motorsport's governing body) runs the Formula 1 World Championship, which is their property. The championship awards two titles each year: one to the best driver and one to the best team (constructor). It's made up of all the races on the F1 calendar throughout the season.

The FIA owns and organizes the entire F1 World Championship
Two world titles are awarded annually: Driver's Championship and Constructor's Championship
The championship consists of all official Formula One Grand Prix races scheduled on the F1 calendar
F1 is a competition between both individual drivers and their teams

Official FIA Text

The FIA will organise the FIA Formula One World Championship which is the property of the FIA and comprises two titles of World Champion, one for drivers and one for constructors. It consists of the Formula One Grand Prix races included in the Formula One calendar.

formula one world championshipfiadriver's championshipconstructor's championshipgrand prix

2026 Season Regulations

Sporting Regulations

Article B5.16.1

FIA Source

Finishing Procedure

Chapter: B5

In Simple Terms

The chequered flag is waved at the finish line when the race leader completes the full required distance. This flag signals the official end of the race or sprint session. Once it's shown, the race is over regardless of where other cars are on track.

Chequered flag marks the official end of a race or sprint session
The flag is shown at the Line (finish line) when the leader completes the full distance
The race ends immediately when the flag is shown to the leader
This applies to both Sprint races and regular Races

Official FIA Text

A chequered flag will be the end-of-session signal and will be shown at the Line as soon as the leading Car has covered the full distance in accordance with the applicable regulations for a Sprint or a Race.

chequered flagfinish linerace endsprint sessionfull distance

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Sporting Regulations

Article B5.16.2

FIA Source

End-of-session signal timing

Chapter: B5

In Simple Terms

If the race ends early (before all scheduled laps are completed), the official result is based on when the leader crossed the finish line just before the end signal was given. If the end signal is delayed, the race is still considered finished at its originally scheduled time.

Early end signal: Results are determined by the leader's last crossing before the signal, not at the signal itself
Delayed end signal: The race is deemed finished at its originally scheduled time, regardless of when the signal actually occurred
Protects fairness by preventing the timing of the signal from artificially affecting final classifications
Applies to all timed track championship sessions (practice, qualifying, race)

Official FIA Text

Should the end-of-session signal be given before the leading Car completes the scheduled number of laps, the TTCS will be deemed to have finished when the leading Car last crossed the Line before the signal was given. If delayed, the TTCS is deemed finished when it should have finished.

end of sessionsignal timingrace finishlap countleading car

2026 Season Regulations