Cadillacs enjoy a special place in Mexican culture. They arrived in the country before European cars such as Mercedes Benz, Jaguar, Citroën, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, and Ferrari.  The recent announcement of Cadillac’s entry into Formula 1 (F1) in 2026 is great news for American motorsports, represented by General Motors, Cadillac’s parent company. Additionally, it is also important news in the current complex relationship between Mexico and the United States.

Cadillac will make its F1 debut with Mexican driver Sergio “Checo” Pérez, who will be joined by Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas. Checo returns to the track in a Cadillac prepared to compete with the most powerful teams in the world.

The challenge lies in transforming Cadillac’s image of elegance into a high-efficiency, high-speed machine. And the task falls to Mexican driver Sergio Pérez. The presence of a Mexican driver competing in every Grand Prix has already been achieved, and created renewed interest in F1 both in Mexico and the United States. What remains to be completed is a championship won by a Mexican and/or a U.S. team. The possibility of a genuinely North American moment is now a reality.

The issue is not just about motorsports; it’s also a political and economic one. The automotive industry is one of the driving forces behind Mexico’s relationship with the United States, and Checo, with his charisma, could become an unexpected ambassador. His arrival at Cadillac symbolizes Mexico’s ability to adapt and remain a key player in the face of global competition, especially from China.

Mexico produces over three million cars annually, exports most of them to North America, and sells one million domestically. Cadillac won’t just be racing on the tracks, it will play a leading and exemplary role in what could become a new model of regional cooperation that defines the North American region. This is good news for those who enjoy the thrills of F1, but also for the crucial economic relationship between Mexico and the United States.