GM-backed Cadillac F1 team confirmed for 2026
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Cadillac will become Formula One's 11th team in 2026.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – A General Motors (GM)-backed Cadillac entry will become Formula One’s 11th team in 2026, after securing formal approval from the commercial rights holders and the governing FIA on March 7.
Formula One and the International Automobile Federation confirmed in a joint statement that all the necessary sporting, technical and commercial assessments had been completed.
“As we said in November, the commitment by General Motors to bring a Cadillac team to Formula One was an important and positive demonstration of the evolution of our sport,” said Formula One chief Stefano Domenicali.
“I want to thank GM and TWG Motorsports for their constructive engagement over many months and look forward to welcoming the team on the grid from 2026 for what will be another exciting year for Formula One.”
The various parties reached an agreement in principle in November 2024, after Formula One previously rejected a bid under the name of Andretti that the FIA approved. F1 had raised doubts about the competitiveness of that proposal.
Former Formula One driver Michael Andretti is no longer involved with the team he founded but his father Mario, the 1978 F1 world champion, will take up an advisory role. The new team will be a joint venture between GM with Dan Towriss, owner of US team Andretti Global, a key investor.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, meanwhile, said that the expansion was a “transformative moment” and an important milestone for the championship.
“GM/Cadillac brings fresh energy, aligning with the new FIA 2026 regulations and ushering in an exciting era for the sport. The Cadillac Formula One team’s presence in the paddock will inspire future competitors and fans,” he added.
Formula One is entering a new engine era in 2026, with significant chassis regulation changes as well, and Cadillac have a deal in place to use Ferrari engines until GM can produce its own.
Cadillac have also appointed Briton Graeme Lowdon to lead the team and have established a European headquarters at Silverstone.
“In terms of being ready to race, everything is on schedule,” he told the F1 website.
“There’s an awful lot of work that has gone on in the background. But there’s still a lot of work to do.
“We’re in a significantly better position now that we’re a fully fledged F1 team. We will have access to all the data and information all the other teams have. Now we can really push to come up with the most competitive car that we can.”
Lowdon also said that drivers would be hired on merit, adding: “There’s nothing preventing a driver being selected on merit and being American. I think that would be something that a lot of fans would really want to see as well. I’m fairly sure that hiring on merit and having a US driver are entirely compatible objectives for the team.” REUTERS, AFP
