The Cadillac Formula 1® Team travels this week to the Styrian Alps and the Austrian Grand Prix for Round Eight of the 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship™.

Measuring just 4.326km, the Spielberg track is the shortest permanent circuit on the F1 calendar, but what it lacks in distance, it makes up for in variety - rising and falling across a natural amphitheater in a looping, high-speed layout that features blind corners, heavy braking zones and unusual amounts of track warp and camber as it winds its way across the undulating terrain. The 71-lap Austrian Grand Prix has a lot of overtaking potential with four straight mode zones, unforgiving curbs and unpredictable weather, which frequently combine to deliver a dramatic race.

Austria presents another unique challenge for the Cadillac Formula 1® Team. This is a power track with a traditionally high rate of attrition, which will thoroughly test the reliability of the MAC-26 - but also a circuit on which calm heads and experience tend to prevail.

Checo Perez and Valtteri Bottas have both raced in Austria 13 times, across 11 Austrian and - during the Covid years - two Styrian Grands Prix. Checo has eleven points finishes to his name, with a podium in 2023 and fastest lap in 2014 - while Valtteri has secured three pole positions, victories in 2017 and 2020, and seven podium finishes in total, including his first F1 podium, scored in 2014.

In a season of rapid evolution and learning, the last few races have seen the team raise its level of competitiveness, backed by a string of upgrades. Those continue in Austria, with a major aerodynamic update featuring revised bodywork and a new floor. Alongside these performance developments, the team's livery also evolves this weekend, reflecting a natural refinement of its visual identity as the brand continues to take shape on track.

Graeme Lowdon, Team Principal: "The races now come along in rapid succession, and meeting that logistical element while improving our competitive performance is one of the key challenges of this part of the year. We are however pleased to be able to bring another substantial upgrade package this weekend.

"With new sidepods and floor it's a significant amount of work and we hope that it will continue our trajectory of steadily catching-up to the midfield. We don't underestimate the challenges Austria present, but we're learning all the time and I'm confident we can make progress again this weekend."

Checo Perez: "Every race it feels that we're making progress, and there was a lot of valuable learning in getting to the checkered flag in Barcelona. The rate of development is very good, everyone back at the factory is going full speed to deliver new parts to the track, and the upgrade we have this weekend will hopefully provide another step."

Valtteri Bottas: "We are always learning from experiences to understand the issues, develop the car. We're doing that, and making progress every week. I have great memories of this circuit, not just the victories in 2017 and 2020, but also my first front row start, and first F1 podium, which I had here in 2014. This is going to be a tough weekend - but it's one I'm really looking forward to."