Formula 1 has always been as much about political maneuvering and psychological warfare as it is about racing, but the lead-up to the 2026 season has turned the paddock into a veritable battlefield before a single wheel has even turned. The upcoming regulation changes have attracted some of the biggest names in the automotive world, but instead of a polite exchange of pleasantries, we are witnessing the eruption of a vicious “Battle of Detroit” and a wider war of philosophies that promises to make 2026 one of the most explosive seasons in the sport’s history.
The arrival of General Motors (through its Cadillac brand) and the return of Ford (partnering with Red Bull) has reignited a century-old American rivalry on a global stage. What began as corporate posturing has rapidly descended into personal insults, “laughable” accusations, and a savage debate over what constitutes a “real” Formula 1 team.
The First Shot: “Just a Marketing Deal”
The hostilities began when Dan Towriss, CEO of the Cadillac F1 team, decided to take the gloves off in an interview that sent shockwaves through the American automotive industry. Towriss, whose team is entering as the sport’s 11th constructor, sought to distinguish Cadillac’s “ground-up” effort from Ford’s partnership with reigning champions Red Bull Racing.
“It’s not even close,” Towriss stated bluntly, dismissing his rival’s efforts. “One is a marketing deal with very minimal impact, while GM is an equity owner. They’re deeply embedded from an engineering standpoint, and they were involved from day one. Those two deals couldn’t be more different.”
The implication was clear and cutting: Cadillac is a “real” racing team building a legacy, while Ford is simply paying for a glorified sticker on Max Verstappen’s car. It was a calculated strike designed to undermine Ford’s technical credibility and position Cadillac as the true bearer of the American flag in Formula 1.
Ford Fires Back: “Patently Absurd”
The response from the Blue Oval was swift, coordinated, and dripping with disdain. Bill Ford, Executive Chairman of Ford Motor Company, didn’t just deny the allegations; he openly mocked them.
“I started to laugh,” Ford told reporters, dismissing Towriss’s claims as “patently absurd.” He then pivoted to a counter-attack that highlighted the most uncomfortable fact about Cadillac’s 2026 entry: their engine.
“I would say, actually, the reverse is true,” Ford quipped, landing a direct hit. “They’re running a Ferrari engine. They’re not running a Cadillac engine. I don’t know if they have any GM employees on the race team.”
This retort strikes at the heart of the “constructors” debate. While Cadillac plans to build its own power unit by 2029, their initial years will rely on customer engines purchased from Maranello. In contrast, Ford is technically partnering with Red Bull Powertrains to co-develop the 2026 engine, contributing expertise in battery technology, electric motors, and advanced 3D printing manufacturing.
Ford CEO Jim Farley piled on the pressure, refusing to even acknowledge Cadillac as a peer. “It’s laughable,” Farley said, brushing off the idea of a rivalry. “Rivalries are earned… through competition over years. They’re not paid for with money. I don’t think that’s a legitimate rivalry. It’s chalk and cheese.”
The Technical Reality: Who is “Real”?
The bitterness of this exchange hides a complex technical reality. Ford’s defensiveness stems from the perception that they are merely badging a Red Bull engine. However, insiders insist Ford’s involvement goes far beyond decals. The company is responsible for designing and testing crucial components of the hybrid system and combustion engine, utilizing their mass-production expertise to speed up Red Bull’s development.
On the other side, Cadillac is indeed setting up a full team infrastructure—a massive undertaking involving factories in the UK and the US. Yet, Bill Ford’s jab about the “Ferrari engine” is factually correct for the start of their journey. It paints a picture of two giants desperate to control the narrative: Ford wants credit for engineering, while Cadillac wants credit for independence.
Audi enters the fray: The “Design Disaster”
While the Americans were busy tearing each other apart, Audi—the other massive newcomer for 2026—decided to open a second front in the culture war. Antoine Le Nel, Chief Marketing Officer of Revolut (Audi’s new title sponsor), threw unexpected shade at Ferrari, not for their engineering, but for their aesthetics.
Critiquing the incorporation of HP’s blue branding onto Ferrari’s iconic red cars, Le Nel didn’t mince words: “No offense, but I think what HP and Ferrari have done to their cars is not good from a design perspective. How can you put blue on a red car? This is not good.”
He contrasted this “blunder” with Audi’s approach, which he described as “accessible luxury” with a clean, cohesive identity. But Le Nel didn’t stop at fashion advice; he also took a swipe at the Cadillac vs. Audi comparison. echoing the sentiment that Audi is the only “true” newcomer.
“Audi is building everything,” Le Nel boasted. “The whole chassis, the whole engine, the gearbox… everything is made by themselves. It’s not like Cadillac, who is buying the whole car and so on.”
This “holier-than-thou” attitude from the Audi camp adds another layer of spice to the grid. It positions the German manufacturer as the purist’s choice, looking down on the “mixed DNA” of the American entries.
The Battle for the Fans
Underneath the insults lies a desperate battle for the hearts of the exploding American fanbase. Formula 1 has seen unprecedented growth in the United States, driven by Drive to Survive and the new races in Miami and Las Vegas.
Cadillac is making a play for maximum mainstream attention by revealing their race livery during a Super Bowl commercial on February 8—a power move targeting an audience of 100 million people. They want to be The American Team.
Ford, however, is banking on success. By hitching their wagon to the dominant Red Bull machine, they hope to be associated with winning from day one. Their argument is that fans care more about podiums than equity structures.
A Season of Hostility
As we inch closer to the 2026 pre-season tests, it is clear that the “paddock club” politeness is dead. The manufacturers are bringing the aggressive energy of the automotive marketplace directly into the pit lane.
We have Ford accusing Cadillac of being a Ferrari customer in disguise. We have Cadillac accusing Ford of being a marketing gimmick. We have Audi accusing everyone else of lacking purity, all while insulting Ferrari’s paint job.
If the racing on track is half as aggressive as the trash talk off it, 2026 will be a golden era for Formula 1. But for now, the war is being fought with microphones and press releases, and nobody is backing down. The Battle of Detroit has gone global, and it’s getting very, very personal.