• Source: Cadillac in Formula One

      • American car manufacturer General Motors is contracted to compete as a Formula One constructor under the Cadillac brand as Cadillac Formula 1 Team, beginning with the 2026 season, and is set to become a power unit manufacturer by the end of the 2020s. GM will collaborate with American racing organisation Andretti Global through the latter's British subsidiary, GPM Cadillac Formula Racing Ltd.
      Cadillac is set to become the first new constructor to join the grid since Haas in 2016. The Cadillac team will be based in Silverstone, England, and the engine department will be based in Concord, North Carolina.


      Background


      In January 2023, General Motors (GM) announced their intention to enter the Cadillac brand into the Formula One World Championship in collaboration with Andretti Global. The move was approved by the FIA but declined by the Formula One Group, which said that it would reconsider its decision if GM agreed to manufacture F1 engines. Despite the rejection, Andretti continued to build up the team and operations using Toyota's wind tunnel in Cologne. Andretti hired several alumni of Flavio Briatore's Renault / Team Enstone operation for senior roles, including Formula One CTO Pat Symonds, technical director Nick Chester, aerodynamicist Jon Tomlinson, and advisor Naoki Tokunaga.
      In November 2024, Los Angeles Dodgers lead owner and Chelsea F.C. co-owner Mark Walter announced that he had purchased Andretti through his holding company TWG Global. He retained Andretti minority owner Dan Towriss to serve as the CEO of TWG's motorsports division. Michael Andretti remained as an advisor, and Mario Andretti agreed to serve on the board of directors. To reflect the change, the team renamed its British subsidiary to Cadillac Formula Racing Ltd and subsequently GPM Cadillac Formula Racing Ltd.
      That same month, GM announced they would enter the championship as a constructor in 2026 under the Cadillac brand, and that GM would enter as an engine supplier at a later date. By doing so, GM became F1's first new constructor since Haas in 2016. GM reportedly paid an expansion fee of US$450 million, over twice as much as originally demanded. Formula One Group CEO Stefano Domenicali stated that GM's commitment to the project was an "important and positive demonstration of the evolution of [the] sport". In December, the team hired former Virgin and Marussia CEO Graeme Lowdon as team principal and Renault engine specialist Rob White as chief operations officer.
      In December 2024, Ferrari announced that Cadillac had signed a multi-year deal to use their engines and gearboxes from 2026 onwards. Joe Saward reported that GM was seeking to purchase the intellectual property of Renault's former power unit programme.


      Facilities


      GM plans to operate four facilities for its F1 program. The Cadillac constructor team will operate from a facility in Silverstone, England, while GM's Charlotte Technical Center in Concord, North Carolina, is expected to develop the power unit. In addition, the team's parent company, Andretti Global, is building a new headquarters in Fishers, Indiana, a suburb of Indianapolis. Additional operations will take place in Warren, Michigan, the location of the General Motors Technical Center.


      References




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