Latest news with #Lowdon
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Cadillac F1 Team Partners With Renowned Fashion Brand
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Months away from its official Formula One debut in 2026, the Cadillac F1 team has announced a partnership with the renowned fashion brand Tommy Hilfiger. This marks the new team's first sponsorship in the premier class of motorsports. Tommy Hilfiger is no stranger to F1, having ended its partnership with Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season. The collaboration with the sport's eleventh team as its official apparel partner marks the beginning of a new chapter in its F1 journey. Cadillac's entry into the sport was confirmed in March this year after receiving approvals from the FIA and Formula One Management (FOM). For the initial years, it will partner with Ferrari to procure its power engines for the new era of regulations starting next year, where F1 cars will be powered by an equal ratio of internal combustion and electric power. A general view of the atmosphere is seen during the Launch Party For Cadillac F1 Team at Queen Miami Beach on May 03, 2025 in Miami Beach, Florida. A general view of the atmosphere is seen during the Launch Party For Cadillac F1 Team at Queen Miami Beach on May 03, 2025 in Miami Beach, Cadillac F1 Addressing the new partnership with Tommy Hilfiger, Cadillac F1 team principal Graeme Lowdon said: "We are an American team representing one of the most iconic American brands of all time. "Tommy Hilfiger too is an American icon, and the brand's legacy in Formula 1 is unmatched. As we bring a bold new vision to the paddock, this partnership truly reflects the spirit of what we're building. "Together, we're not only racing, but driving innovation that will shape the future of both entertainment and engineering." In a separate report by Forbes, Lowdon explained why Tommy Hilfiger was a "natural fit" for Cadillac. He said: "Cadillac has a proud and storied racing history as far back as 1950 when they began competing at Le Mans at World Championship Level. "Tommy has known Formula 1 for a long time. It's the pinnacle of motorsport, like Cadillac is for luxury automobiles. Cadillac's brand values are bold, sophisticated, and optimistic. That was a natural fit with the Tommy Hilfiger brand. Combining this offers an ambitious, confident outlook. The chemistry, vision, and passion felt right from the start. Racing is about passion and desire to win." The announcement of Cadillac's partnership with Tommy Hilfiger arrives at a time when the fashion brand promotes its F1 The Movie APXGP Collection ahead of the release of the F1 movie on June 25 and June 27 in America. Addressing the partnership with the Cadillac F1 team, Tommy Hilfiger said: "These two iconic American brands come together with a colorful history in visual culture. I love racing's iconic graphics. The uniforms are very cool with patches, logos, and team names. It's rich in design territory. We had insight into the Cadillac team's design direction; it will look incredible across the collections. "I didn't see that coming in the earlier years. Formula 1 was automobiles and cars coming from Europe. Building out fanwear with our iconic prep with Cadillac's bold racing and motorsport motifs is an exciting playground to push the boundaries."
New York Times
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- New York Times
Cadillac's F1 team takes shape: Inside the race to launch America's 2026 contender
'Everything starts here tonight.' Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports, had long dreamed of this moment: standing on a stage in the middle of a high-end Miami restaurant, converted for the night into the 'Cadillac Club' to celebrate the team's entry into Formula One in 2026. Towriss, wearing an all-white suit, had been welcomed onto the stage by actor Terry Crews, who'd hyped up the crowd gathering on the floor below. Before Crews, Grammy-nominated singer and actress Janelle Monae had performed a set that included a surprise appearance on a balcony to one side of the room, drawing attention away from the queues forming at the open bars. Advertisement Twelve months earlier, such a night seemed a distant hope at best. In January 2024 (back when the proposed 11th F1 team entrant was still Andretti instead of Cadillac), F1 had rejected an expansion of the grid beyond 10 teams, none of whom seemed at all interested in pulling another chair up at their exclusive table. Now, not only had Cadillac been accepted warmly to the grid thanks its General Motors backing, but personnel from many of the existing teams were spending their Saturday nights enjoying Cadillac's hospitality, hanging on Towriss' every word. 'The environment has changed,' Towriss had told reporters earlier in the day in Miami. 'It's very welcoming and we certainly appreciate that. The past is the past and we're now welcome onto the grid. We appreciate that and we're getting about our work.' As impressive as Cadillac's glitzy, no-expense-spared Miami launch may have been, its first F1 race is now less than a year away — and working to make the start is its primary focus. There is no time to waste. During a media round table that included The Athletic during the Miami GP weekend, Towriss claimed the close partnership and integration between Cadillac and General Motors is what sets his team's entry apart on the grid. General Motors has an extensive motorsports history with different brands such as Chevrolet, which has won NASCAR's manufacturers' championship more than 40 times. The next closest is Ford at 17. Team principal Graeme Lowdon told The Athletic that Cadillac has a clear schedule for creating its car and the most recent milestone it met was the delivery of its first 2026 chassis. A roll hoop was attached to it, and while this won't be built into the actual car, this will be used for all testing purposes. 'The homologation tests are very intensive,' Lowdon explained, referring to the stringent FIA requirements that each new chassis must pass before being approved for competition. 'And that's giving us a chance already to make sure that when we start making the production chassis, we'll be comfortable that we'll pass all the tests, because we don't have a '25 chassis manufactured to test.' Up until this point, the team has been creating quarter chassis (essentially partial models) as 'they're quicker to make,' Lowdon said. But Cadillac couldn't simulate certain tests with the quarter chassis. A full chassis will allow it to take the next step forward in testing and development. Engines take time to develop, particularly ahead of seasons when regulations change, as they do in 2026. As GM president Mark Reuss said in a media roundtable during the Miami GP, the team is having to look at 'energy and power and how to store it, how to make it, and how to carry it — and do it really efficiently.' Advertisement GM Performance Power Units LLC, which was founded by General Motors and TWG Motorsports, received approval from the FIA last month to become an F1 power unit (PU) supplier beginning in 2029. Cadillac will therefore be using Ferrari power units as a customer squad for its first three F1 seasons. Lowdon said the relationship's required for the PU and transmission development 'is going really well.' 'We've already been doing a lot of impact testing of front (wing) noses and things for quite some time now, so all the bits are starting to kind of come together,' Lowdon said. 'It's cool to see when parts are arriving… The actual race cars are still some way off being made, but everything's moving along in the right way.' This F1 team began building before it received the official green light for entry onto the grid from the FIA and F1, during its Andretti infancy. It started up its satellite base at Silverstone in the UK in early 2024 and its headcount was over 120 people by May 2024. Cadillac now has just under 400 full-time employees, according to Lowdon, and is still growing. 'We get, on average, just over one a day now, joining the team,' he said, adding that some personnel are coming from other teams while some are from outside the world of F1. There are some areas where Cadillac hasn't hired yet, including the garage staff, such as mechanics to service the race cars at F1 events. Lowdon said, 'We're recruiting them now and they'll join in three months or six months,' depending on when certain departments are needed. The expectation is that the number of people employed will be around 600 when the 2026 season begins, according to Lowdon. The biggest F1 teams — including Mercedes and Red Bull — have approximately 1,200 staff. Haas, as the smallest team on the grid, has 330. But building the workforce for this project doesn't stop, though there is the cost cap, which limits how much can be spent on certain operations, to consider. More factories are coming online stateside, starting next year with Cadillac's Fishers, Indiana, F1 headquarters. 'The next growth element is on the manufacturing side and that will be primarily Fishers,' Lowdon said. 'And we have to wait until the building's built. Then we have to put machinery in there and then we have to train people.' As of March 2025, the exterior of the Fishers building was complete, and the expectation is for the facility to be online in Q1 next year, according to Lowdon. He added, 'I think it'll become a destination for U.S. Formula One fans as well — a place where you can go and see Formula One cars getting made. Nowhere else in the U.S. you can do that.' Advertisement Cadillac's other U.S. facility being built is in NASCAR country: Concord, North Carolina. This facility will be dedicated to producing power units and the Concord city council approved $750,000 in incentives during a February meeting for the multi-million dollar facility. According to the city council's agenda from that meeting, the expectation is that it'll bring in 300 to 350 jobs, including in research and development, engineering and manufacturing. The facility will not only be built near General Motors' existing technology center in Concord, but it's also close to Hendrick Motorsports, a GM powerhouse in NASCAR. And then there's Silverstone, the European base primarily being used for car design aerodynamics — 'Because it's just impossible to hire 200 people overnight in the U.S. who already have Formula One aero experience,' Lowdon said. The manufacturing capabilities at Silverstone will be primarily used for producing wind tunnel models, considering Cadillac is using one in Cologne, Germany, to actually test its designs. But Cadillac does 'want to go and race a car that's built in America and with an engine that's built in America as well,' Lowdon said during a March media call. It'll take time to get to that point, but make no mistake — this is an American team racing under an American license in 2026. The Cadillac F1 team just happens to be surrounded by 'strong motorsport DNA' from elsewhere in the world. 'We have this iconic American brand. We'll have over 600,000 square feet of manufacturing or facilities in the United States, split between Indianapolis and Charlotte,' Towriss said. 'But there's also a great respect for the history and legacy of Formula One with the operation in Silverstone. 'When we look at those locations, while we didn't plan it this way, we're in the birthplace of Formula One, the birthplace of NASCAR and the birthplace of IndyCar.' The last 'new' team to join the F1 grid was Haas in 2016, and it made a strong debut with a driver lineup of Romain Grosjean and Esteban Gutiérrez. The team finished eighth with 29 points, though Toro Rosso (now known as Racing Bulls) was miles ahead in seventh with 63 points. So, how should success be defined for Cadillac in 2026? Towriss said it's multifaceted. Advertisement 'It starts with seeing success on track. We want to build our fandom for Cadillac Formula One Team. We want commercial success,' Towriss said in Miami. 'It's really all of the above and we're here to not just to look like everybody else. We want to move Formula One forward. We want to be fresh, bold, new. Finding ways to do that and really accomplish that in Formula One. And I think when we look at all those things together, that's what's going to define success for this team.' The commercial aspect is another intriguing component Cadillac is sorting. Lowdon said he 'underestimated the appeal' his squad is already encountering on this front. There is already another U.S. team on the grid in Haas, which is owned by American Gene Haas and headquartered in Kannapolis, N.C. But a significant amount of its operations are in Europe — its cars are designed in Italy and it has a permanent team base in the UK. With Cadillac, Lowdon feels 'the approach here is different and, from what I've seen so far, it appears to be very attractive, in particular, to U.S. sponsors. It's a team they can really get behind and understand and identify with.' Lowdon couldn't say whether or not Cadillac has already signed sponsors, and given how many brands prefer to be involved with full team launches, it may be some time before announcements are made. While he's not sure what the timing of such revelations would be, Lowdon claims he's encouraged by the number and quality of brands interested in Cadillac. It's not only well-known organizations, he said, but also 'a lot that are new to Formula One, so that suggests that we're offering something new.' While many people are wondering whether one of the team's first drivers will be American, it's natural to ask whether Cadillac is keen for its main partners to be American companies. Towriss said they do 'want to have key American brands as anchors;' however, Formula One is a global motorsports series. He added, 'This isn't an America-only strategy.' 'There's a whole bunch of really creative things that are going into this, from the special nature of Cadillac, the special nature of what we're doing as Americans coming into Formula One. We totally respect what that means. It's not going to be easy,' Reuss said. 'We know it's something that obviously hasn't really been done. We're up for it, though, but we're treating it with that level of detail, sophistication. We've got one shot to get into this, and it's a long-term plan, so don't take it lightly.'
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
'We have to select everybody on merit': Cadillac unveils Formula 1 team logo before 2026 debut with merit-based driver selection emphasis
Cadillac's F1 team logo (via IANS) Cadillac has officially joined the Formula 1 limelight with the unveiling of its team logo in preparation for its much-awaited entry in the 2026 season. As the grid looks forward to receiving its 11th team, the announcement from Cadillac marks a strategic and stylistic pledge to marry American motorsport heritage with worldwide competitiveness. Cadillac has made its 2026 Formula 1 debut statement with the logo reveal and a direct stance on driver merit Cadillac makes aggressive debut with strong branding and leadership The central event of Cadillac's Miami unveiling was the unveiling of their official team logo—a badge that reflects their proud American heritage while heralding a serious intent to compete. It was launched right after the Sprint and Qualifying race sessions over the weekend of the Miami Grand Prix . Leading the next campaign is Team Principal Graeme Lowdon , a seasoned name in the Formula 1 universe after time with now-extinct Manor Racing. Lowdon will have the squad campaign on Ferrari power units in the beginning before moving over to GM Performance Power Units starting in 2029—and this following a nod of approval from the FIA as an official F1 engine supplier last week. 'We were effectively kept out of the last round of driver discussions because we didn't have an entry and were in a slightly unusual position, but it also means there is a lot less competitive tension, and we can take a little bit of time. Everyone would love to see an American driver in an American team with an American engine, but this is also a world championship," said Lowdon to Sky Sports F1. 'We have to select everybody on merit, and as we have said before, there is nothing stopping a boy or girl with an American passport from driving for an American Formula 1 team. We'll select them on merit, and if the driver happens to be an American, that is something the fans would really like. But we've got to respect the world championship, and if we want to be competitive as we can, we must choose everyone in the team on merit." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Health: Over-40s are snapping up the new indestructible military smartwatch Indestructible Smartwatch Undo Path to 2026: What's next for Cadillac F1? The period before 2026 will be decisive as Cadillac builds up its infrastructure, forms partnerships, and focuses on driver talent. Its addition not only increases the grid numbers but also brings in new competition, which has the potential to alter dynamics in the paddock. With the full support of General Motors and a long-term commitment, the team will leave a big mark. Also read: What are the F1 drivers' standings after Miami Grand Prix 2025? Cadillac's foray into Formula 1 is not just a grid-expansion strategy—it's a declaration of intent. With a showy logo unveiling, experienced leadership under Graeme Lowdon, and an unflinching commitment to competitive integrity, the American marque is working its way toward a high-stakes debut in 2026. All eyes now turn to the next big reveal: the drivers who will carry the Cadillac name into the world of Formula 1.
News18
04-05-2025
- Automotive
- News18
Cadillac Unveil Team F1 Logo Ahead Of Entry In 2026 Season
Last Updated: Cadillac reveals their Formula 1 team logo and brand ahead of their 2026 entry, with Graeme Lowdon as Team Principal and Ferrari engines until 2029. Ahead of their highly-anticipated entry as the grid's 11th team from the 2026 season onwards, Cadillac have revealed their team logo and brand that will mark their Formula 1 identity and set them apart from their rivals for the upcoming seasons. Leaning into their all-American reputation, the team – who are backed by TWG Motorsports and General Motors (GM) – held a red carpet event in Miami following Saturday's Sprint and Qualifying to unveil their chosen branding. With the 2025 season almost a quarter complete, there is plenty of focus on Cadillac and the steps they take ahead of next year's first Grand Prix. Cadillac have taken on the experienced Graeme Lowdon, who was previously a key part of Manor's journey to F1, as Team Principal and will compete with Ferrari engines until 2029, with GM Performance Power Units LLC. having been officially approved as an F1 power unit supplier by the FIA from then. Ahead of the launch event, Lowdon had explained the situation regarding their vacant driver positions and claimed although having an American driver would be good for the American side, they will make the decision on merit. 'We've got a fairly good idea, and we've narrowed it down quite a were effectively kept out of the last round of driver discussions because we didn't have an entry, and were in a slightly unusual position but it also means there is a lot less competitive tension, and we can take a little bit of time. 'Obviously, the number one priority for us is to have something for the driver to drive, and that is where a lot of the management bandwidth is. When it comes to an American driver, everyone would love to see an American driver in an American team with an American engine, but this is also a world championship. 'We have to select everybody on merit, and as we have said before, there is nothing stopping a boy or girl with an American passport from driving for an American Formula 1 team. We'll select them on merit, and if the driver happens to be an American, that is something the fans would really like. 'But we've got to respect the world championship, and if we want to be competitive as we can, we must choose everyone in the team on merit," said Lowdon to Sky Sports F1. (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - IANS) First Published:
Hans India
04-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hans India
F1: Cadillac unveil team logo ahead of 2026 entry
Ahead of their highly-anticipated entry as the grid's 11th team from the 2026 season onwards, Cadillac have revealed their team logo and brand that will mark their Formula 1 identity and set them apart from their rivals for the upcoming seasons. Leaning into their all-American reputation, the team – who are backed by TWG Motorsports and General Motors (GM) – held a red carpet event in Miami following Saturday's Sprint and Qualifying to unveil their chosen branding. With the 2025 season almost a quarter complete, there is plenty of focus on Cadillac and the steps they take ahead of next year's first Grand Prix. Cadillac have taken on the experienced Graeme Lowdon, who was previously a key part of Manor's journey to F1, as Team Principal and will compete with Ferrari engines until 2029, with GM Performance Power Units LLC. having been officially approved as an F1 power unit supplier by the FIA from then. Ahead of the launch event, Lowdon had explained the situation regarding their vacant driver positions and claimed although having an American driver would be good for the American side, they will make the decision on merit. "We've got a fairly good idea, and we've narrowed it down quite a were effectively kept out of the last round of driver discussions because we didn't have an entry, and were in a slightly unusual position but it also means there is a lot less competitive tension, and we can take a little bit of time. "Obviously, the number one priority for us is to have something for the driver to drive, and that is where a lot of the management bandwidth is. When it comes to an American driver, everyone would love to see an American driver in an American team with an American engine, but this is also a world championship. "We have to select everybody on merit, and as we have said before, there is nothing stopping a boy or girl with an American passport from driving for an American Formula 1 team. We'll select them on merit, and if the driver happens to be an American, that is something the fans would really like. "But we've got to respect the world championship, and if we want to be competitive as we can, we must choose everyone in the team on merit,' said Lowdon to Sky Sports F1.
