General Motors has long been working to secure a spot for a Cadillac team on the Formula One grid, and after last weekend’s buzz at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the dream is becoming a reality. Today, GM officially announced the launch of its Cadillac F1 program, set to take on the FIA Formula One World Championship in 2026.
In January 2023, GM and TWG announced intent to compete, and now the duo will make the Cadillac F1 team happen with motorsports CEO Dan Towriss at the helm. GM itself is registered as a power unit manufacturer and is on track to begin producing engines in 2028, making the Caddy outfit a “full works” team by the end of the decade.
“As the pinnacle of motorsports, F1 demands boundary-pushing innovation and excellence. It’s an honor for General Motors and Cadillac to join the world’s premier racing series, and we’re committed to competing with passion and integrity to elevate the sport for race fans around the world,” said GM President Mark Reuss in a statement. “This is a global stage for us to demonstrate GM’s engineering expertise and technology leadership at an entirely new level.”
Cadillac has put together a team to work on aerodynamics, chassis and component development, software, and vehicle dynamics simulation. The organization currently operates out of Fishers, Indiana; Charlotte, North Carolina; Warren, Michigan; and Silverstone, England. F1 legend Mario Andretti will take up post as director on the team’s board.
“My first love was Formula 1 and now, 70 years later, the F1 paddock is still my happy place. I’m absolutely thrilled with Cadillac, Formula 1, Mark Walter, and Dan Towriss,” Andretti said. “To still be involved at this stage of my life – I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.”
Towriss echoed his sentiments, saying, “We’re excited to partner with General Motors in bringing a dynamic presence to Formula 1. Together, we’re assembling a world-class team that will embody American innovation and deliver unforgettable moments to race fans around the world. We appreciate FIA and FOM’s support of our application and their recognition of the value we can bring to the championship.”
The Cadillac F1 team’s driver roster will be announced later on. Additionally, the team will have to source third-party power units until GM begins building its own.
Comments
That’s excellent news, congrats to GM and Cadillac after dealing the so much bullcrap. Hopefthey find great success like their other racing programs and show all the euro teams what’s up
Why does it take so long to build an engine for F1 with GM’s resources and experience? More than 3 years????
This isn’t an LS V8 you’re talking about. The F1 hybrid power plants are the most sophisticated in the world. You have to meet the required (very stringent) specifications, aim for peak power output while maintaining unrivaled reliability under extreme heat and pressures. It’s not child’s play, and takes considerable engineering to accomplish. Renault (Nissan) quit the game entirely after a decade of attempts to produce reliable F1 powertrains.
The car and pu specs are totally changing for F1 in 2026. Cadillac need the raw data from a Ferrari pu under real-time race pace, to build something that is top notch. Neither McLaren or Ashton Martin use their own engines which tells you it is not easy to accomplish.
I think this will be great for the sport and happy to see Cadillac finally breakthrough. Just kind of ironic giving they are trending to become a fully electric company for consumer sales. That Blackwing isn’t going to be around much longer.
Another manufacturer’s engine. So what makes it a Caddy? Kenworth marker lights ?
So everyone knows, the car is being designed and built by Andretti Global, owned by TWG Global. Michael Andretti did all the hiring of the personnel, and it was Michael Andretti that got GM and Cadillac involved. The Andretti Global was excluded from the press release because the FBI and DOJ are investigating Liberty Media (owners of F1) for antitrust allegations – collusion to keep Andretti out of F1. They are also investigating Liberty Media for Antitrust allegations regarding their Ticketmaster company.
That’s all cool & everything but can GM afford this! Just keep selling $100k pick up trucks I guess!
Without Andretti Cadillac will be the last on the grid.
Adretti is pres. of the board of direstors
the motor will be FERRARI why not seing
It would be great to see Checo Perez work with Cadillac this coming year in car development now that he and Red Bull have parted ways. Perez is accomplished with 15 years in F1 and is also a very popular figure in the U.S. and Mexico.