Cadillac’s ambitions of joining the Formula 1 grid became a reality on Friday with the official approval of their entry starting in the 2026 season.
Previously, the expansion of the grid was green-lighted in November, but it was only now that both the FIA and Formula One Management acknowledged Cadillac’s efforts as meeting all necessary standards to become the series’ 11th team.
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We are proud to lead the Federation in this progressive step for the championship,’ stated FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, hailing the addition of an 11th team as both a ‘milestone’ and a transformative moment.
He noted that Cadillac’s fresh outlook aligns seamlessly with the FIA’s new regulations set for 2026, signaling a vibrant new chapter for the motorsport.
Ownership of the team is a collaboration between General Motors and TWG Motorsports, an extension of TWG Global, whose shareholders include Mark Walter and Thomas Tull.
TWG Global has significant holdings in several major sports organizations, including the Los Angeles Dodgers and Premier League’s Chelsea, and has stakes in ventures such as the Professional Women’s Hockey League and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Meanwhile, TWG Motorsports holds the majority ownership of Andretti Global, participating in motorsports such as IndyCar, Indy NXT, and Formula E, and is involved with NASCAR’s Spire Motorsports, the Wayne Taylor Racing’s IMSA sports car GTP program, and Walkinshaw Andretti United, a championship race team in Australia.
Stefano Domenicali, the President and CEO of Formula 1, remarked that the Cadillac Formula 1 Team’s introduction to the circuit will certainly inspire future talents and followers.
He emphasized that their participation enhances the ongoing mission to expand the boundaries of motorsport at its pinnacle.
While Mercedes and Ferrari have traditionally led the way in F1, generating fresh competition through new entrants like Cadillac furthers the sport’s development.
Cadillac F1 is set to be the second American-owned team on the scene, alongside Haas F1, operated by Gene Haas in California.
Unlike Haas, which is sponsored but does not feature any American drivers or manufacturing partnerships from within the U.S., Cadillac F1 intends to keep its roots distinctly American.
There are speculations about IndyCar driver Colton Herta, who hails from California, joining the lineup for the two-car team.
This debut coincides with a period where F1 is hosting three prominent races in America and sees heightened interest from U.S. corporations looking for sponsorship opportunities within this globally growing series.
Getting the project off the ground was not without its hurdles, taking over four years, even amid backing from the FIA and its president, Ben Sulayem.
The complexities stemmed partly from complications related to Michael Andretti, a former F1 driver, whose rapport with the racing community in Europe wasn’t very strong.
Nevertheless, the turning point came when Andretti handed over the controlling stakes of his motorsports operations to Dan Towriss, paving the way for TWG and Cadillac’s F1 ambitions to gain footing.
TWG Motorsports’ CEO, Dan Towriss, expressed enthusiasm about their partnership with GM as the countdown to 2026 progresses, promising expanded facilities and refined technologies for the team.
Before Cadillac’s powertrains are ready, the team plans to utilize engines provided by Ferrari.
These powertrains are being developed at Hendrick Motorsports’ North Carolina campus and the F1 operations set to run from new facilities under construction in Indiana and Silverstone, England.
General Motors President Mark Reuss conveyed excitement about the team’s official participation in the prestigious global stage of F1, acknowledging the support from FIA and Formula 1 executives.
He emphasized that preparations are moving swiftly, with a car for the 2026 season already making its way through wind tunnel testing.
Additionally, the team is rapidly expanding its workforce, bringing on board esteemed professionals in the motorsport industry.
Graeme Lowdon has been designated as team principal, and motorsport veteran Russ O’Blenes is leading TWG GM Performance Power Units as its CEO.
The workforce includes over 300 staff members focusing on the development of various race-related technologies and dynamics simulations.
Lowdon expressed pride in the meticulous effort by the entire team through the application process, reaffirming commitment to becoming a full-works team and expressing eagerness to give fans a brand-new team to support come race day.
As the team looks to assemble its driver lineup, while industry chatter includes names like Colton Herta, who would need an outstanding IndyCar season to secure the necessary Super License, the driver roster remains open.
Other possible candidates might include F1 veterans such as Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas, and Zhou Guanyu, who are currently seeking seats for the 2025 season.
