Cadillac formally approved for 2026 F1 entry
Photo Credit: Mark Thompson/Getty Images
The team is being backed by TWG Motorsports and General Motors
It is finally official. Cadillac will be the eleventh team on the Formula 1 grid in 2026.
For the American team, it was merely a case of dotting the i's and crossing the t's. In December, the team had already confirmed Ferrari would supply engine units for their debut season. Cadillac had also recently announced that long-time motorsports and Formula 1 team executive Graeme Lowdon will serve as the Team Principal. The task of creating power units for the 2027 season onwards will be led by industry veteran Russ O’Blenes.
The final requirements were met last week, with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem officially confirming the news of Cadillac’s entry.
“Today marks a transformative moment, and I am proud to lead the Federation in this progressive step for the championship,” said Ben Sulayem. “The FIA Formula One Championship's expansion to an 11th team in 2026 is a milestone. GM/Cadillac brings fresh energy, aligning with the new FIA 2026 regulations and ushering in an exciting era for the sport.
“The Cadillac Formula 1 Team’s presence in the paddock will inspire future competitors and fans. Their entry strengthens our mission to push motorsport’s boundaries at the highest level.”
Two years in the making
Cadillac’s bid to join Formula 1 was announced in January 2023, with TWG Motorsports immediately assembling a team of over 300 people to work on aerodynamics, chassis and component development, software and vehicle dynamics simulation.
This was followed by the development of operational wind-tunnel models, parts production and performance testing at sites in Indianapolis, Indiana; Charlotte, North Carolina; Warren, Michigan; and Silverstone, England.
Who could drive for Cadillac in 2026?
The 2025 F1 season will see plenty of fresh faces joining the grid, including Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman, Liam Lawson, Jack Doohan, Isack Hadjar and Gabriel Bortoleto, which has left several experienced names without a team for the upcoming season.
Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, Franco Colapinto and Zhou Guanyu are dropping into reserve roles for 2025, while eight-time race winner Daniel Ricciardo currently finds himself in the motorsport wilderness after his mid-season axing by RB last year.
Could any of these names be in the running for a seat at Cadillac in 2026?
Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images
words: Mike Booth
picture: Mark Thompson/Getty Images