General Motors (GM) has officially secured a spot on the Formula 1 grid for the 2026 season, with the team set to compete under its luxury Cadillac brand.
The approval comes just months after GM reached an agreement with F1, following the sport’s initial rejection of a bid from Andretti Global, which was also linked to Cadillac. However, GM’s stronger commitment in a revised proposal has now convinced F1 to grant entry to Cadillac.
In a joint statement, F1 and motorsport’s governing body, the FIA, confirmed that Cadillac’s bid was approved after a comprehensive evaluation of its sporting, technical, and commercial aspects.
The new team will be operated by the US-based TWG (The Walters Group), a shift from the original Andretti-led proposal. It will have a UK base in Silverstone and key investors, including Dan Towriss, owner of Andretti Global, and Mark Walter of TWG.
Former IndyCar and F1 driver Michael Andretti is no longer involved, but his father, Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 world champion, will serve as an advisor. The team’s principal will be Graeme Lowdon, a former senior figure at Manor Racing.
F1’s decision to approve Cadillac’s entry was influenced by several key factors such as Commitment to a full works team in the coming years, Securing an engine supply deal with Ferrari rather than relying on mandatory regulations, and GM’s long-term plan to develop its own F1 power unit.
Additionally, an investigation by the US Department of Justice into F1’s rejection of the original Andretti bid is believed to have played a role in reconsidering GM’s entry.
F1 & FIA Reactions
F1 President Stefano Domenicali welcomed GM’s addition to the grid:
“The commitment by General Motors to bring a Cadillac team to F1 is a strong demonstration of the sport’s evolution. We look forward to seeing them on the grid in 2026.”
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem called the approval a “transformative moment” for Formula 1.
Meanwhile, TWG’s Dan Towriss expressed excitement about the journey ahead:
“With 2026 in our sights, we are ramping up efforts—expanding facilities, refining technology, and assembling top-tier talent.”
A New Era of F1 Competition
GM’s entry aligns with new F1 regulations set for 2026, which will increase the hybrid power output to 50% (from the current 20%) and introduce fully sustainable fuels.
These rule changes have also attracted Ford, which is partnering with Red Bull, and Audi, which is set to take over Sauber. Honda, which had initially planned to exit F1, has instead committed to a factory partnership with Aston Martin.
Meanwhile, Renault has decided to end its in-house engine program and will switch to Mercedes power units from 2025.
GM’s Cadillac team is now preparing for its F1 debut, aiming to establish itself as a competitive force on the grid in 2026.
Source: BBC Sports.
