F1 2026: Cadillac “dances” with Öhlins. Technical partnership official for the debut in the Circus

The countdown for the Melbourne Grand Prix has begun and the Cadillac Formula 1® Team has secured a fundamental piece for the solidity of its technical project. It is official: Öhlins, the Swedish excellence in suspension, will provide the customized dampers for the American single-seater throughout the 2026 debut season.

Swedish-American synergy under Brembo’s wing

The news is not just technical, but strategic. Öhlins, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, has been part of the Brembo Group since 2025. This collaboration consolidates a high-level technological axis: while Cadillac represents General Motors’ new global challenge, Öhlins provides know-how that needs no introduction in high-performance competitions.

Work that began in 2024

This is not a “standard” supply. As highlighted by Nick Chester, Chief Technical Director of Cadillac F1 (and a familiar face in the paddock from his time at Renault/Lotus), the work began well before the official announcement:

• 2024: development of the first front and rear prototypes.
• 2025: pre-production phase and integration with the chassis.
• 2026: finalization of the definitive concept for aerodynamic stability.

Why dampers are the key for 2026

In a Formula 1 where ground clearance management and aerodynamic platform stability make the difference between a victory and the middle of the pack, the choice of Öhlins is targeted. The Swedish dampers will have the task of keeping the Cadillac chassis stable yet reactive, ensuring that the car’s floor constantly works within the optimal aerodynamic window, without losing grip on the bumps of street circuits or more aggressive curbs.

“The performance and quality of Öhlins dampers are excellent and we look forward to racing and growing together” – Nick Chester, Cadillac F1.

Claes Hesling, Auto Racing Director, Öhlins Group

“It is an honor to have been chosen to provide the dampers for the first car of the Cadillac Formula 1® Team. This collaboration represented an important opportunity for our two entities, both with a solid tradition in Motorsport, to join forces and give further impetus to innovation in the world of racing and high-performance automotive. This moment is the result of years of work and we look forward to seeing the Cadillac Formula 1® Team line up on the grid next month.”

Next stop: Melbourne

The work is not yet finished. Before the official debut in Australia, further comparative tests are planned to refine the setup. The goal is clear: to ensure immediate reliability to allow Cadillac drivers to push to the limit from the very first lap of free practice.

Technical Data in a nutshell:

The Engineering of detail: why Öhlins will be vital for ground effect

In a Formula 1 dominated by ground effect, the consistency of ground clearance is everything. For the Cadillac Team, the challenge is to keep the flat floor at the optimal millimeter distance from the asphalt, avoiding the phenomenon of porpoising (aerodynamic bouncing) while ensuring the car is not too stiff on the curbs.

This is where Swedish technology comes into play. Öhlins dampers allow for fine-tuning of high and low compression speeds:

• High speeds: management of violent impacts (curbs and bumps), fundamental for not destabilizing the car during entry.
• Low speeds: control of roll and pitch induced by aerodynamic load and load transfers during braking and acceleration.

By utilizing high-precision valves, Cadillac will be able to “seal” the floor of the single-seater with surgical precision, translating every gram of downforce into pure speed without sacrificing drivability.