Cadillac Formula 1 Secures Approval to Join 2026 Championship as 11th Team

Cadillac's entry into Formula 1 has officially been approved, marking a significant milestone as the team prepares to compete in the 2026 season. This decision was confirmed on Friday by the FIA and Formula One Management, who stated that Cadillac meets all necessary criteria to join the grid as the 11th team.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem emphasized the importance of this development for the championship, describing it as a transformative moment that brings fresh energy to the sport. The Cadillac team is a collaboration between General Motors and TWG Motorsports, which is part of the larger TWG Global group.

TWG Global also holds stakes in various major sports franchises, including the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chelsea FC. The company is also connected to Andretti Global, which participates in various racing series including IndyCar and NASCAR.

Stefano Domenicali, the President and CEO of Formula 1, expressed excitement about Cadillac's involvement, stating that the team's presence will inspire future competitors and fans of the sport. The addition of Cadillac is seen as part of a broader strategy to expand motorsport's reach in the United States, especially as Formula 1 gains popularity in the region with multiple races scheduled in cities like Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas.

Cadillac will be the second American-owned team in Formula 1, joining Haas F1. Unlike Haas, which lacks a partnership with an American manufacturer, Cadillac aims to emphasize its American roots through its relationship with General Motors.

The journey to approval for Cadillac's F1 project has been lengthy, taking over four years. Challenges included a complex relationship with previous bids led by Michael Andretti, who has since sold his controlling interest in motorsports ventures, paving the way for Cadillac's successful bid.

TWG Motorsports CEO Dan Towriss highlighted the collaborative efforts with General Motors to establish a strong foundation for the team. As Cadillac gears up for the 2026 season, it is enhancing its facilities, developing advanced technologies, and recruiting top talent.

While Cadillac's own powertrains are still under development, the team will initially lease engines from Ferrari. The powertrains will be manufactured at a facility in North Carolina, while the main operations will be based in a new facility in Indiana and another in Silverstone, England.

General Motors President Mark Reuss expressed enthusiasm about the team's official status and the opportunity to showcase GM's engineering capabilities on the global stage of Formula 1. The team is already making significant progress, with plans for a 2026 car that has undergone wind tunnel testing.

Cadillac is actively building its workforce and has appointed experienced motorsports executive Graeme Lowdon as team principal. The organization aims to become a full works team capable of constructing both the chassis and power units.

Although specific driver lineups have not been confirmed, potential candidates include IndyCar driver Colton Herta, who must secure a Super License to compete in F1. Other names mentioned for potential roles include Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas, and Zhou Guanyu, all of whom are currently without seats for the upcoming season.