Cadillac F1 livery reveal causes Super Bowl controversy as Hollywood legend makes $1.5million claim

Cadillac’s F1 livery reveal hasn’t created the headlines it may have expected as it was shown to the world.

Before the American Formula 1 team unveiled its paintwork during the Super Bowl it was discovered Hollywood director Michael will be suing them for at least $1.5million in damages.

The new F1 team, which joins the grid for the first time in 2026, ran a commercial during the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl which saw the Seattle Seahawks beat the New England Patriots.

The event took place at San Francisco‘s 49ers stadium and finished 29-13 to the Seahawks, with millions of Americans tuning in.

And those who did saw Cadillac’s new asymmetrical black and grey car in their advert.

The advert itself, used part of a 1962 speech by John F. Kennedy which was intended to increase enthusiasm for his proposal to land a man on the moon.

The 35th President, with audio reminiscent of a shuttle launch playing, says: “We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard; because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one we intend to win.”

However, moments before the ad aired on American television, Rolling Stone reported that film director Michael Bay was suing Cadillac for $1.5million in damages in regards to the advert.

Bay is known for directing many popular film franchises, including Transformers, Bad Boys and The Purge.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles, mentions that the newest Formula 1 team had allegedly used Bay’s ideas and work ‘without paying for them’.

The lawsuit also alleges that Bay and his team worked ‘nearly nonstop’, yet Cadillac decided to ‘go in a different direction’  and ‘use someone else to complete the project’.

Bay, though, noticed familiar elements to those he proposed, including ‘highly reflective gold chrome’ finishes.

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A spokesperson for Cadillac has denied any wrongdoing after they received the news Bay is suing for damages.

They told PlanetF1: “Michael Bay is a cinematic genius and we talked with him about directing our Superbowl ad.

“But after two meetings, it became clear he couldn’t meet our timeline, and there ultimately wasn’t a path forward.

“It’s unclear why he’s bringing this claim, since the concept and creative were already developed and we were only exploring him as a director. 

“We’re confident this will be resolved appropriately. Even so, we still admire Michael Bay’s creative brilliance and would welcome the opportunity to work together in the future.”

After the advert premiered, the team’s attention moved to Times Square where the car was frozen for a day and was being melted to reveal itself on a platform.

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The new team will be heading to Bahrain this week for a pre-season test ahead of the F1 season starting in Australia on March 6.

Previous race winners Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez are coming out of retirement to race for the new Formula 1 team in their debut season.

Dan Towriss, CEO of Cadillac F1 team said: “The unveiling of a livery in Formula 1 is an important moment as it is a reflection of the team’s identity.

“The reveal at the Super Bowl and in Times Square represents both a launch moment and an invitation for fans to join in our journey.

“The Super Bowl spot will take the team into millions of homes, while the Cadillac Countdown will give a front-row view in one of the busiest areas in the US.”