The first Cadillac Formula 1 car finally has a name. Say hello to the MAC-26!<\/p>\n
The Mario Andretti Cadillac 26 to give it its full name, is a car which honours the 1978 World Champion Mario Andretti, who serves as a director on the board of Cadillac, Formula 1\u2019s newest team.<\/p>\n
Cadillac MAC-26 named after Mario Andretti for F1 2026<\/p>\n
Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for news you can trust.<\/p>\n F1 2026 pre-season is in the books, a period which must be deemed a success for Cadillac, as it got crucial mileage on the clock of its first F1 creation.<\/p>\n It was a car which, until now, had been unnamed.<\/p>\n \u201cThe chassis does have a name, and we\u2019re going to be sharing that in the coming weeks,\u201d Cadillac F1 CEO Dan Towriss had teased to PlanetF1.com and others earlier in the month.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s actually a special name. So stay tuned for that.\u201d<\/p>\n The unveiling of Cadillac\u2019s first F1 car name lived up to that billing. Its MAC-26 identity is a tribute to Mario Andretti.<\/p>\n It was in 1978, as a Lotus driver, that Andretti reached the Formula 1 pinnacle as World Champion.<\/p>\n More on Cadillac from PlanetF1.com<\/p>\n Colton Herta rejects Cadillac\u2019s top 10 F2 target: \u2018I want to win\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n Cadillac F1 chief sets out 2026 goals as Australian GP aero deficit predicted<\/a><\/p>\n The Andretti family navigated a bumpy road full of obstacles when trying to get the team, to ultimately be known as Cadillac, onto the Formula 1 grid.<\/p>\n After initial Formula 1 objections, the green light was given. Cadillac will be powered by a Ferrari engine in the coming years, while a General Motors power unit is in the works.<\/p>\n Reacting to the MAC-26 identity unveiling, Towriss said: \u201cNaming our first chassis MAC-26 reflects the spirit Mario carried into Formula 1 and the belief that an American team belongs on this stage.<\/p>\n \u201cHis story embodies the American dream and inspires how we approach building this team every day.\u201d<\/p>\n Mario Andretti is widely quoted as having said: \u201cRacing has been the joy of my life.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is the ultimate compliment that the Cadillac Formula 1 Team sees those years as meaningful and worthy of recording with this honour.<\/p>\n \u201cI cherish the opportunity that it gives me to have a lasting bond with F1 and am genuinely appreciative of everyone who continues to acknowledge my part in racing history.\u201d<\/p>\n Cadillac has one of the most experienced driver pairings anywhere on the grid in Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez. Between them, they boast 16 grand prix wins, 10 for Bottas and six for Perez.<\/p>\n They have contributed to a combined seven Constructors\u2019 Championship wins. During Bottas\u2019 five years with Mercedes between 2017-21, the Silver Arrows were crowned Constructors\u2019 Champions every year, as part of an eight-season streak.<\/p>\n Red Bull won the Constructors\u2019 crown in 2022 and 2023 with Max Verstappen and Perez.<\/p>\n Soon, Bottas and Perez will debut the Cadillac MAC-26 in grand prix action. The season-opener in Melbourne takes place from 6-8 March.<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n