Cadillac Formula 1 Team unveil Testing livery ahead of Barcelona Shakedown

That journey reached a significant milestone on Wednesday when General Motors President Mark Reuss unveiled the team’s Special Edition testing livery at General Motors’ new global headquarters in Detroit.

The launch signals Cadillac’s final push towards the Formula 1 grid and provides the first visual expression of the team’s identity ahead of on track running.

The testing livery will be used during the all team Shakedown Week in Barcelona from January 26 to January 30. It precedes the unveiling of the official race livery, scheduled for February 8, which will be the design carried throughout Cadillac’s debut campaign.

Developed through a close collaboration between the General Motors Global Design organisation and the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, the Barcelona Shakedown livery underlines the transatlantic nature of the project.

Design and engineering expertise from both the United States and Europe have been central to shaping the programme as Cadillac prepares for life at the pinnacle of global motorsport.

The unveiling formed part of General Motors’ opening week celebrations at its new Detroit headquarters, with a full scale Formula 1 car wearing the Barcelona Shakedown livery displayed on site. The same car will also be showcased publicly at the Detroit Auto Show until January 25, offering fans an early, close up look at Cadillac’s Formula 1 future.

Distinct from the official race livery, the Barcelona Shakedown design has been created specifically for pre season development work. In Formula 1, testing liveries traditionally serve a dual purpose, allowing teams to conceal aerodynamic details while still projecting a clear brand identity.

“Our new testing livery celebrates Detroit’s design heritage and the power of the global Cadillac Formula 1 team, while keeping our design secrets under wraps,” said Reuss. “The Barcelona test is just the beginning. We cannot wait to share our official race livery with fans around the world next month.”

The monochrome concept delivers a premium, technical appearance built around a modern interpretation of the Cadillac crest and shield. A large crest draped across the rear of the car acts as both a visual statement and an effective way to obscure sensitive aero surfaces. Precision geometric patterns, applied vertically in alternating gloss and matte finishes, further disrupt the bodywork’s outline while reinforcing Cadillac’s design DNA.

Clean line work and restrained colour blocking give the car a disciplined, future focused aesthetic aligned with Cadillac’s ambitions in Formula 1. As a symbolic nod to the collaborative effort behind the project, the names of the founding members of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team from both the United States and the United Kingdom are incorporated into the design.

Dan Towriss, Chief Executive Officer of Cadillac Formula 1 Team Holdings, stressed that the livery strategy reflects a broader willingness to challenge convention. He explained that combining TWG’s approach with General Motors’ scale allows the team to rethink established norms, including debuting the official race livery during a globally televised championship broadcast.

The choice to reveal the Shakedown livery at the Hudson’s Detroit building also carries strong symbolism. The new headquarters sits just a few miles from Cadillac’s original Detroit home, creating a tangible link between the brand’s heritage and its Formula 1 ambitions.

With the Barcelona Shakedown approaching, the official race livery reveal imminent, and the Australian Grand Prix marking the competitive debut, anticipation is building rapidly. Cadillac’s arrival on the Formula 1 grid represents a landmark moment for American motorsport, as one of the country’s most storied automotive brands prepares to compete on the world’s biggest racing stage.