The Cadillac Formula 1 Team will introduce a significant aerodynamic upgrade package — featuring revised sidepods, new bodywork and a redesigned floor — at the Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg, Round Eight of the 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.
The American squad confirmed the technical changes alongside an updated livery that moves closer to the design debuted at the Miami Grand Prix, which the team said drew an overwhelmingly positive fan response. The combined push marks the latest in a string of upgrades the 11th team has delivered during its debut season as it works to close the gap to the established midfield.
“We are pleased to be able to bring another substantial upgrade package this weekend,” Team Principal Graeme Lowdon said. “With new sidepods and floor it’s a significant amount of work and we hope that it will continue our trajectory of steadily catching-up to the midfield. We don’t underestimate the challenges Austria present, but we’re learning all the time and I’m confident we can make progress again this weekend.”
The 4.326-kilometer Red Bull Ring is the shortest permanent circuit on the calendar, but its combination of high-speed elevation changes, heavy braking zones, four straight-mode zones and unpredictable alpine weather historically produces a high rate of attrition. The 71-lap race will serve as a thorough reliability test for the MAC-26 chassis.
Both Cadillac drivers bring deep experience at Spielberg. Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas have each raced in Austria 13 times across Austrian and Styrian Grands Prix. Perez has recorded 11 points finishes at the venue, including a podium in 2023 and the fastest lap in 2014. Bottas boasts an even stronger record with three pole positions, victories in 2017 and 2020, and seven podium finishes — including his first career F1 podium in 2014.
“Every race it feels that we’re making progress, and there was a lot of valuable learning in getting to the checkered flag in Barcelona,” Perez said. “The rate of development is very good, everyone back at the factory is going full speed to deliver new parts to the track, and the upgrade we have this weekend will hopefully provide another step.”
Bottas echoed the optimism while acknowledging the difficulty ahead. “We are always learning from experiences to understand the issues, develop the car. We’re doing that, and making progress every week,” he said. “I have great memories of this circuit, not just the victories in 2017 and 2020, but also my first front row start, and first F1 podium, which I had here in 2014. This is going to be a tough weekend — but it’s one I’m really looking forward to.”
Lowdon noted that the compressed schedule adds a logistical dimension to the challenge. “The races now come along in rapid succession, and meeting that logistical element while improving our competitive performance is one of the key challenges of this part of the year,” he said. The team heads to Spielberg seeking to build on what it described as a recent uptick in competitiveness during a season defined by rapid evolution and learning.