Cadillac, Formula 1's newest team, has made a significant move to fortify its commercial operations ahead of its highly anticipated entry onto the grid in 2026. The American outfit has announced two senior appointments, bringing in seasoned professionals to lead its business strategy.
Strengthening the Commercial Front
Lauren Teixeira joins the squad as Chief Commercial Officer, bringing with her a wealth of experience from the heart of motorsport and American sports. Her impressive career includes a role with the Formula 1 development Academy series, as well as stints with the F1 Miami Grand Prix and the Miami Dolphins NFL team. She will report directly to Tyler Epp, a former president of the Miami Grand Prix.
Alongside her, Willem Dinger takes up the position of Chief Partnerships Officer. Dinger arrives from consumer goods giant Unilever, where he served as Head of Sport Partnerships, and previously held a role at the PR agency Prism.
Gearing Up for a Competitive Debut
A team statement confirmed the strategic nature of these hires, stating: "Willem and Lauren will strengthen Cadillac Formula 1 Team’s commercial, partnership and business operations as we accelerate toward our 2026 debut in the Formula 1 World Championship." This clearly signals Cadillac's ambition to be a competitive force from the outset as the sport's 11th team.
This announcement follows last week's news that former TikTok and Twitter executive Ahmed Iqbal was appointed as the team's Chief Marketing Officer. The team, controlled by Chelsea co-owner Mark Walter’s TWG Global, will expand the F1 grid to 11 teams for the first time since the 2016 season.
A New American Era in Formula 1
Cadillac's entry marks a significant shift towards North America for the sport. The team's arrival, alongside the existing Haas team, coincides with a new $700m Apple TV deal and a growing race calendar in the region. The United States now hosts three Grands Prix, including the upcoming Las Vegas event, with Miami and Austin already having taken place this season.
From a technical standpoint, Cadillac plans to manufacture its engines in the United States but will assemble its 2026 challenger at a base in Silverstone. This establishes them within the UK's renowned 'Motorsport Valley', a hub for elite engineering businesses.
