The Formula 1 edit

Article by Finley Ever

With Pre-season testing later this month, Formula One fans worldwide are eagerly waiting to see their favorite drivers and teams back on the circuit. But the most anticipated testing comes from the sport’s newest teams. One, Stake Kick Sauber entirely rebranded and the other, and eleventh team to fill up two more grid spots. This is Cadillac and Audi.

Audi

Audi Revolut F1 Team, formally known as Stake Kick Sauber which raced its last year with black and green in 2025, is a German F1 team owned by Audi AG. While Audi’s have raced before, the modern Audi has never been a part of F1 GP motor racing. The team’s former racing name, Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, entered the sport for the 2024 season, but before that, the team has raced under various names since 1993, Sauber, BMW Sauber, and the most famous, Alfa Romeo. Their mission is to compete for the Championship by 2030.

The head of the Audi project is Mattia Binotto, an Italian engineer who served as Ferrari’s Team Principal for 4 years before giving the position to Frederic Vasseur in 2023. But Binotto couldn’t stay away from the motorsports world forever!

The Team Principal of Audi for 2026 is Jonathan Wheatley, an English motorsports executive who isn’t short in experience when it comes to F1. He has worked with 5 teams (including Audi) in his F1 career which began in 1991. He has contributed to 8 Constructors Championships over the years and served as Red Bull’s Team Manager for 4 years and then as their Sporting Director from 2022-2023.

Audi’s 2026 lineup is the exact same as Stake Sauber’s 2025. German driver Nico Hulkenberg and Brazilian 2025 rookie Gabriel Bortoleto are set to drive this year with their Reserve Driver still undisclosed.

Team colors are a mix of silver, black, and orangish-red.

cadillac

Cadillac Formula 1 Team is the only true ‘new team’ to enter the sport, which brings the total teams and drivers to 11 teams and 22 drivers. Cadillac is one of the most famous car names in the automotive industry, so them securing a name and place in the pinnacle of motorsport is sure to be good for business.

Their mission is to establish a competitive and successful team whose values are sustainability and innovation. The main focus right now is to gain respect in their debut racing campaign.

Cadillac F1’s Team Principal is Graeme Lowdon, an English Businessman who has worked with Virgin and Marussia F1 teams as the CEO. He now serves as Cadillac’s Team Principal and is the head of the Cadillac operation at HQ.

While Cadillac is a new team, they have taken the liberty of recruiting experienced drivers who have retired from the sport. Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas and Mexican Sergio (Checo) Perez will drive for Cadillac in 2026 with Chinese Zhou Guanyu serving as Reserve Driver.

Their first official livery reveal is set for Super Bowl Sunday, but it is speculated that team colors will be simple and sleek monochrome.

No matter what team or driver you have been supporting, you can’t help but be excited to see what these new teams will do with the privilege of racing in Formula One, I know I am!

xx