Cadillac's ambitions for Formula One are "limitless", according to team principal Graeme Lowdon.
The long-anticipated entry of Cadillac – a division of American motoring giant General Motors – as an 11th team on the grid from 2026 was finally rubberstamped last week.
F1 had initially rejected the bid which was headed up by US team Andretti – owned by former driver Michael Andretti, son of 1978 world champion Mario Andretti – last year. The Andretti name is no longer involved in the Cadillac project, although Mario is set to be on board as an adviser.
Cadillac will be supported by TWG Motorsports and powered by Ferrari before it develops its own engines, while there will be a European base at Silverstone alongside new headquarters which are currently under construction in Fishers, Indianapolis.
Lowdon, former sporting director of the Manor Marussia team, knows there is plenty of hard work ahead, but maintains high collective goals are achievable.
"Everybody, both in the management and the ownership of this new team, is extremely realistic," Lowdon said.
"We have a unique mix in terms of ownership qualities and the experience of people within the team, people who spent decades in Formula One. We have utmost respect for the competition.
"You want to enter competitions that are difficult and competitive as well, so we have got no illusions about how difficult it is.
"But we are well backed, we are well positioned and therefore I think it is important to highlight that our ambitions are limitless."
Lowdon added: "We know what can be achieved, and in terms of effort that is what we will be putting ours towards – but also we are very, very realistic about about what is needed."
F1’s presence in the United States has increased dramatically in recent seasons, with Las Vegas, Miami and Austin all set to stage events in 2025.
It is expected that at least one of Cadillac’s drivers will be American.
Colton Herta – runner-up in the American Indycar Series last year – is one name to be linked, although the 24-year-old would not currently meet the FIA Super Licence requirements.
Former Red Bull pair Sergio Perez and Daniel Ricciardo have also been suggested as possible options, alongside China’s Zhou Guanyu, with Lowdon having previously acted as part of his management team.
"We definitely select on merit. Luckily for us, there are a lot of good drivers out there," said Lowdon, who revealed some "meaningful conversations" were now being held after the team’s F1 entry was confirmed.
"The obvious question is whether we will have American drivers, and personally, I see no reason why an American driver can’t be selected on merit as well.
"It is certainly something that the fans would like to see, but the overriding objective is merit. We have got got a job to do here."
