GM to enter F1 pinnacle of motorsport with Cadillac in 2026

General Motors has announced its entry into Formula 1, with the Cadillac brand set to join the grid as the 11th team starting in 2026. The decision, approved in principle, marks a watershed moment for the American automaker as it ventures into the pinnacle of motorsport. Formula 1 announced this on Monday.

The agreement follows months of discussions between GM and Formula 1 stakeholders. In a statement, Formula 1 confirmed that GM met critical operational milestones during the year with the Cadillac brand. Despite the bleak outlook of negotiations, the team has received approval to appear on the grid as Cadillac Formula 1. If Haas is still running by then, it will be the second participant from the US.

More US races, more American teams

“Formula One has maintained a dialogue with General Motors and its partners regarding the viability of an entry following the commercial assessment earlier this year. Over this year, they have demonstrated their commitment to establishing GM/Cadillac as the 11th team, with GM set to join as an engine supplier later,” the statement read.

The inclusion of GM and Cadillac aligns with Formula 1’s growing ambitions in the US, which has become a key market for the sports thanks to events in Austin, Miami, and Las Vegas and the success of the Netflix series Drive to Survive.

General Motors wants to tap in on the momentum, casting a role for its luxury brand Cadillac in motorsports along the same line as the Volkswagen Group does with Audi, which debuts through the buy-out of the Sauber team in 2026, next to the rising popularity of the sports in its home country.

Greg Maffei, CEO of Liberty Media and owner of the competition, said: “With Formula 1’s continued expansion in the US, we’ve always believed that adding a prestigious American brand like GM/Cadillac to the grid would enhance the sport’s value and appeal,” Maffei commented.

Rules for more sustainability

The rule changes effective in 2026 have further sparked interest from GM and Audi. These will introduce changes aimed at boosting sustainability. The power units will feature enhanced hybrid engines delivering 50% electric power and will run on fully sustainable fuels.

Cars will be lighter and more compact. These designs also must improve agility and enable closer racing, accompanied by advanced safety measures to enhance side intrusion protection.

GM plans to debut Cadillac as a full constructor and aspires to become a power unit supplier. Initially, the team is expected to rely on Ferrari engines while it develops its own, which will not debut before 2028.

Concerns over competitiveness

The approval follows controversy earlier this year when Andretti Global, which initially partnered with GM for the proposal, was denied entry due to concerns over competitiveness. This decision drew criticism from US House of Representatives members, who argued that excluding Andretti limited competition.

While Michael Andretti, the former F1 driver and son of 1978 champion Mario Andretti, is no longer directly involved in the project, his father is expected to serve as an ambassador for the Cadillac team.