F1 confirms GM's Cadillac entry for 2026 season debut
General Motors secures F1 entry for Cadillac, marking a strategic expansion into global motorsport with plans to develop proprietary power units by 2028.
Formula 1 and General Motors have reached a landmark agreement in principle that will see Cadillac become the championship's 11th team, marking a pivotal moment for both the sport and the iconic American manufacturer.
The 2026 entry marks a strategic move to capitalize on F1's growing popularity in the United States while spotlighting General Motors' cutting-edge technology on the world stage.
A complex path to the grid
The journey to F1 has been anything but straightforward for GM and its long-standing potential partner, Andretti Global.
Previous attempts to enter the series were rebuffed by F1 leadership, who deemed the initial bid lacking in added value.
Tensions escalated with Michael Andretti's aggressive campaigning, which even involved interventions from US Congress and the Department of Justice.
A critical turning point came in September when Andretti stepped back from his organisation, allowing majority owner Dan Towriss to recalibrate the approach.
This strategic repositioning, coupled with GM's commitment to becoming a full constructor, ultimately swayed F1's leadership.
Engineering ambitions
GM's president Mark Reuss captured the manufacturer's motivation, describing F1 as "the pinnacle of motorsports" that demands "boundary-pushing innovation and excellence."
The team's initial entry will be as a customer team, with plans to develop proprietary power units by 2028.
The existing Andretti Global infrastructure in Silverstone will serve as the operational backbone for the Cadillac-branded effort. With a tight timeline, the team has been strategically assembling talent, including former F1 technical director Pat Symonds and ex-Alpine employees.
Power unit challenges and solutions
Engine supply presents an immediate challenge.
GM won't have sufficient time to develop its own power units for the 2026 and 2027 seasons, necessitating customer engine deals.
Ferrari and Honda emerge as the most probable suppliers, especially with Renault abandoning its 2026 power unit project.
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