Cadillac goes full Miami: Bold new livery brings American flair to their first home Grand Prix

 

Moving away from the stoic, monochrome “Le Monstre” aesthetic seen during the opening rounds of the season, the team has embraced the high octane, pastel drenched energy of South Florida. In a nod to Miami’s famous architecture, the side pods feature intricate, laser etched geometric patterns inspired by the Art Deco District, subtly integrated into the raw carbon fibre to save weight. Reverting to Cadillac’s luxury roots, the front and rear wing flaps feature the neon lights of the Miami International Autodrome.

The most intricate part of the livery is the front wing which features 50 individuals stars – one representing each American state. It’s a subtle but powerful way to signal that they aren’t just representing a brand but the entire country. The stars are integrated into the aerodynamic planes of the wing, using a matte on gloss texture that avoids adding unnecessary weight while looking incredibly sharp in high definition close ups.

Insiders are split. While many praise the asymmetrical black and white design as being “way better than expected” for a brand new entry, others have noted the heavy presence of exposed carbon fibre which has led to a “sameless” problem on the 2026 grid. On social media, several prominent Formula One (F1) journalists and fans have compared the look to the classic “West” McLaren liveries of the 90s noting that it looks “clean” but perhaps to safe for a city as vibrant as Miami.

It could be argued that Cadillac’s Miami debut is a surgical strike of “corporate cool” that forgot to bring the party. While the car is undeniably handsome and oozes luxury, it feels like it was designed by a board of directors in Detroit rather than a racing team in South Beach. The “liquid chrome” and the pearlescent white are clearly higher quality rather than the standards wraps on the grid. It looks expensive which is exactly what a Cadillac should look like, it doesn’t look Miami.

✍ Strip away the noise and the number tell a clear story: who adapted, who gambled and who blinked. But reviews are only half the truth - the other half comes from you? What stood out most in your eyes?

Rating: 3.2/5

By Charlie Gardner 

📸 Imagery courtesy of Formula One (F1)