Cadillac’s alleged ultimatum to staff over relocating F1 operations ‘not a good look’

Cadillac’s entry into Formula 1 has, until now, heralded limited success.

Both Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez failed to finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 26, the last grand prix prior to F1’s summer break.

After 11 races of this truncated season, Cadillac remains the only team without a point in the constructors’ championship. Bottas and Perez, two highly experienced drivers with 16 F1 race wins between them, have spent most of 2026 navigating the back of the grid. Nobody expected miracles, but this has been a difficult year.

Now, the team appears set to inflict damage upon itself as part of its commitment to embracing its U.S. identity.

MORE: Full driver and constructor standings for 2026

Cadillac’s alleged ultimatum to staff over relocating F1 operations

According to reports, Cadillac is poised to relocate its base of operations entirely to the United States.

Until now, it has divided its work force between the U.S. and the area of England known as Motorsport Valley: the Silverstone circuit and its surroundings, described by Auto Racing as “the technical heartland” of the sport.

Yet rumors suggest the team wants all staff on American soil. What’s more, the company is purported to have issued an ultimatum to employees that they must uproot to Fishers, Indiana, or lose their jobs.

Speaking on the Paddock Access podcast, F1 photographer Kym Illman said of the reports: “If you look at their performance on the track today [in Hungary]… they’re not doing well. It’s not a good look for Cadillac. How will the sponsors take that?”

What has Cadillac said?

Cadillac has not responded to the reports. More may become apparent when the season resumes with the Dutch Grand Prix on August 23.

In some respects, Cadillac wishing to base itself entirely out of the U.S., using American parts in American vehicles, is understandable. But the risk of losing some highly experienced and knowledgeable professionals, who have spent years operating within the technical heart of the sport, feels substantial for a team in its rookie year.