Introduction
Cadillac’s gearing up for their Formula 1 debut, and they’re not holding back. The incoming 11th team on the grid just announced two heavyweight commercial hires that signal serious ambition. Lauren Teixeira (ex-F1 Academy, Miami Grand Prix) joins as chief commercial officer, while Willem Dinger (formerly at Unilever) takes the chief partnerships officer role. With their 2026 debut approaching fast, Cadillac’s building a commercial engine that matches their racing one. The message? This isn’t just another team, it’s an American powerhouse ready to compete.
Cadillac’s Commercial Dream Team Takes Shape
Lauren Teixeira Brings F1 Pedigree
Teixeira’s CV reads like a who’s who of motorsport marketing. She’s cut her teeth at the F1 Academy development series and helped deliver the Miami Grand Prix, one of F1’s buzziest events. She’s even worked with the Miami Dolphins, so she knows how to sell speed to American audiences.
She’ll report directly to Tyler Epp, the former Miami GP president, creating a Miami motorsport mafia of sorts. Not a bad foundation when you’re trying to crack the US market.
Willem Dinger: The Partnership Whisperer
Dinger’s jumping ship from Unilever, where he ran sport partnerships. Before that? PR agency Prism. He’s exactly the kind of hire you make when you want Fortune 500 brands lining up to slap their logos on your car.
“Willem and Lauren will strengthen Cadillac Formula 1 Team’s commercial, partnership and business operations as we accelerate towards our 2026 debut,” the team said. Translation: we’re selling sponsorships and we mean business.
Why Cadillac’s Timing Couldn’t Be Better
F1’s American Moment Is Here
Three US races. A $700m Apple TV deal. And now a second American team joining Haas. F1’s love affair with the States isn’t slowing down, it’s accelerating.
Las Vegas, Miami, and Austin have become fixtures on the calendar. Max Verstappen won in Austin, Oscar Piastri took Miami, and Vegas is up this weekend. American fans are finally getting the F1 experience at home, and Cadillac’s riding that wave straight onto the grid.
The Silverstone Strategy
Cadillac might be American, but they’re assembling their cars in Silverstone, right in the heart of Motorsport Valley. It’s the UK cluster where F1 expertise lives and breathes.
Their engines? Those are coming from the US. But for the actual car build, they’re tapping into Britain’s engineering goldmine. Smart move when you need to compete with teams that have decades of experience.
Building a Team From Scratch
Cadillac’s hiring spree doesn’t stop with Teixeira and Dinger. They’ve already nabbed Ahmed Iqbal (ex-TikTok and Twitter) as chief marketing officer. They’re assembling a squad that understands modern media, brand partnerships, and how to cut through the noise.
Controlled by Chelsea co-owner Mark Walter’s TWG Global, Cadillac has deep pockets and even deeper ambitions. The 2026 grid will see 11 teams for the first time since 2016, and Cadillac wants to prove they belong.
What This Means for Formula 1
F1’s been a 10-team show for nearly a decade. Adding an 11th team—especially one backed by GM’s iconic Cadillac brand—changes the dynamic. More teams mean more competition, more storylines, and potentially more chaos.
For fans? It’s brilliant. For existing teams? It means slicing the prize money pie into 11 pieces instead of 10. But with F1’s US expansion booming, there’s enough revenue growth to go around.
The championship battle’s heating up too, with Lando Norris heading towards the title in the final races. By the time Cadillac hits the track in 2026, F1 will be in full-blown American expansion mode.
Conclusion
Cadillac’s not just entering Formula 1, they’re entering with a statement. Two major commercial hires, a Silverstone base, and American-built engines show they’re serious about competing from day one. With F1’s US popularity exploding and a $700m Apple TV deal in the books, the timing couldn’t be better. The grid’s about to get more crowded, more competitive, and a whole lot more American. Buckle up, 2026’s going to be interesting.
Want to stay ahead of F1’s biggest moves? Keep an eye on team announcements and grid changes as we race towards the 2026 season.
FAQ
Q1: When will Cadillac join Formula 1?
A: Cadillac will make their Formula 1 debut in the 2026 season, becoming the 11th team on the grid. This will be the first time F1 has featured 11 teams since 2016.
Q2: Where will Cadillac build their F1 cars?
A: Cadillac will assemble their cars at a base in Silverstone, UK—the heart of Motorsport Valley. However, their engines will be built in the United States, combining American power with British engineering expertise.
Q3: Who owns the Cadillac F1 team?
A: The team is controlled by TWG Global, owned by Mark Walter, who also co-owns Chelsea Football Club. It’s backed by General Motors’ iconic Cadillac brand, bringing serious financial muscle to the grid.
Q4: How many US Grand Prix races are there now?
A: Formula 1 currently features three races in the United States: Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas. This expansion reflects F1’s massive growth in American popularity and commercial value.
Q5: Why is Cadillac hiring commercial executives now?
A: With their 2026 debut approaching, Cadillac needs to secure partnerships and sponsorships well in advance. Commercial hires like Teixeira and Dinger will build revenue streams and brand partnerships before the cars even hit the track.
DISCLAIMER
Effective Date: 15th July 2025
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