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Cadillac in Formula One
Upcoming Formula One constructor From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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American car manufacturer General Motors (GM) 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 expected to become a power unit manufacturer by the end of the 2020s. GM will collaborate with American motorsports organization TWG Motorsports through the latter's British subsidiary, TWG Cadillac Formula 1 Team Ltd.
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Cadillac will become the first new constructor to join the grid since Haas in 2016. The project has three bases in the United States—in Indiana, North Carolina and Michigan—and one in the United Kingdom. The engine department will be based in North Carolina.
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Background
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In January 2023, General Motors (GM) and Michael Andretti's Andretti Global announced their intention to enter GM's Cadillac brand into the Formula One World Championship.[8] The FIA approved their bid, but the Formula One Group vetoed it,[9][10] explaining that it would reconsider its decision if GM agreed to manufacture F1 engines.[11] Despite the rejection, Andretti continued to build up the team and operations using Toyota's wind tunnel in Cologne,[12] which McLaren had recently vacated.[13]
In November 2024, following extended disputes between Formula One Group's leadership and Michael Andretti,[14] Andretti Global sponsor TWG Global (Mark Walter) announced that it was taking over the operation from the Andretti family.[3][12] Michael Andretti remained as an advisor,[3] and his father Mario agreed to serve on the board of directors.[12][1] The team renamed its British subsidiary from Andretti Racing to Cadillac, and eventually TWG Cadillac Formula 1 Team Ltd.[15]
That same month, Formula One tentatively approved Cadillac as a new constructor for the 2026 season.[14][16] The entry received its final approval in March 2025,[17] in time for Cadillac to sign the newest Formula One Concorde Agreement.[18] Cadillac will be F1's first new constructor since Haas in 2016.[19] GM paid an expansion fee of US$450 million, over twice as much as originally demanded.[18][20] In addition, GM announced that it would begin manufacturing engines for the Cadillac team at a later date;[21] until then, the team will race with Ferrari engines.[22]
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Constructor personnel
In December 2024, Cadillac hired former Virgin and Marussia CEO Graeme Lowdon as team principal.[2] Lowdon is overseen by TWG Motorsports CEO Dan Towriss.[3][23] The team has hired several alumni of Flavio Briatore's Renault / Team Enstone operation for senior roles, including Formula One CTO Pat Symonds,[6] operations officer Rob White,[5] technical director Nick Chester, aerodynamicist Jon Tomlinson, and advisor Naoki Tokunaga.[4]
Lowdon said that he intends to hire a driver based on merit, although he "see[s] no reason why an American driver can't be selected on merit".[24] Mario Andretti has stated that the team plans to pair an experienced driver with a younger American driver, who will "most likely be [Andretti Global driver] Colton Herta."[25]
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Power unit program
GM and TWG established GM Performance Power Units LLC (GM PPU) to produce works engines for the Cadillac team, and hired longtime GM engine designer Russ O'Blenes to lead the engine division.[26] In addition, Joe Saward reported that GM was seeking to purchase the intellectual property of Renault's former power unit program.[27]
GM PPU plans to produce an F1-ready engine for the 2029 season.[28] Until then, the Cadillac team will use Ferrari engines and gearboxes.[22]
GM PPU announced that it plans to spend $65–70 million building an engine factory for 300-350 employees, which is expected to open in the first quarter of 2027. It also plans to spend another $75–80 million to start up the factory.[29]
Facilities
The Cadillac team plans to operate four facilities.[1] The organization will be headquartered in a brand-new facility in Fishers, Indiana, a suburb of Indianapolis, which will handle "the bulk of the team's car manufacturing."[30] Andretti Global initially suggested that it would base its F1 and IndyCar operations out of the same building,[31] but the IndyCar operation was ultimately moved to a different facility;[30] F1 rules prohibit multi-team facilities.[32] The race team and chassis designers will operate from a facility in Silverstone, England.[31][33]
GM will build a 204,000-square foot power unit facility near its Charlotte Technical Center in Concord, North Carolina.[26][29] Additional operations will take place in Warren, Michigan,[1] the location of the General Motors Technical Center. In addition, the team has signed a long-term agreement with Toyota to rent their Cologne wind tunnel.[34]
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Involvement in the 1950s
Several GM marques participated in the Indianapolis 500 when it counted towards the FIA World Championship of Drivers from 1950 to 1960:
- 1951: Gordon Reid entered a Chevrolet-engined Silnes car but failed to qualify.[35]
- 1952: Johnny Fedricks entered a Cadillac-engined Kurtis Kraft car but failed to qualify.[36]
- 1953: Bill Homeier entered a Cadillac-engined Kurtis Kraft car but failed to qualify.[36]
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Complete Formula One World Championship results
As an engine supplier
References
External links
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