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General Motors will bring its Cadillac brand to F1 as the category’s 11th team, starting in 2026. The team will be dependent on Ferrari power units and gearboxes at the outset, but that is a strategic arrangement which will see them through to 2028, by which time Cadillac should have developed its own engines. This reinforces F1’s growing appeal in the USA and GM’s commitment to motorsport at the very highest level.
The collaboration with Ferrari ensures that Cadillac can enter Formula 1 competitively while its power unit development program matures. Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari’s team principal, expressed excitement about supporting another American team, emphasizing the technical and developmental benefits for Ferrari by maintaining two customer teams. Haas, a long-time Ferrari partner, will continue its relationship alongside Cadillac in 2026.
Cadillac’s entry comes at a time when F1 is looking to expand its influence in the U.S. on the back of successful events in Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas. The arrival of Cadillac also comes with updated F1 regulations for 2026, which have shifted the focus toward sustainability and cost-efficiency in car and power unit design.
Cadillac’s decision to partner with Ferrari reflects a pragmatic approach to gaining a foothold in F1 while ensuring the team has access to a proven power unit for its debut. The partnership leverages Ferrari’s technical expertise and allows Cadillac to focus on assembling its team, led by seasoned figures like Nick Chester as Technical Director and Naoki Tokunaga as Senior Strategic Adviser.
This collaboration follows the in-principle approval that GM got from F1 after it had completed a number of critical operational milestones, which included the development of a chassis designed to comply with 2026 regulations and building state-of-the-art facilities. The involvement of the legendary racer Mario Andretti as an advisor further reinforces the credibility of the project.
The entry from Cadillac marks a significant point for American motorsport interest in Formula 1. As such, GM’s decision underlines the company’s goal of securing the Cadillac brand worldwide and leaving its mark in one of the most competitive domains of motorsport. At the same time, the announcement is likely to accelerate growth for F1 in North America, a market that has seen unprecedented popularity for the sport in recent years.
The team Is expected to receive official approval from the FIA, which is considered a formality. As Cadillac prepares for F1, it does not desert other racing programs like IMSA and the World Endurance Championship, where it will further its successful partnerships and race.
Cadillacs’ entry into F1 is a reflection not only of where motorsports is going but also of where General Motors is going to go along with it, promising to bring a new dynamic into competition by blending iconic American automotive innovation with Italian engineering excellence.
