Cadillac is Joining F1 – Here’s Everything You Need to Know!
- Nicole Nolte
- Mar 8
- 3 min read
Uhhh, guys... It's happening! 😳
After MONTHS of back-and-forth, Cadillac has officially secured a spot on the 2026 Formula 1 grid.
This means we’ll now have 11 teams, adding two more cars to the mix.
Exciting, right? 👀
Let’s break it all down together: how Cadillac got approved, their plans for the future, and what this means for Formula 1 🤔
So, How Did Cadillac Get the Go Ahead?
Formula 1 doesn’t just let ANYONE join the grid -- teams have to go through a loooong approval process.
Here’s how Cadillac made the cut:
✅ Step 1 – FIA Approval (2023-2024)
The governing body (FIA) reviewed Cadillac’s application and gave them the first thumbs-up (after a bit of back-and-forth)
✅ Step 2 – Formula One Management (FOM) Approval (2024)
The sport’s commercial rights holder (Liberty Media) had to approve their financial and competitive plans.
Which they eventually did...
✅ Step 3 – Final Green Light (March 2025)
And now, after months of discussions, Cadillac officially became the 11th team on the F1 grid.
Which is SO exciting!
If you're wondering where all the Andretti rumours have gone...
At first, Andretti Global was supposed to be part of this bid, but they stepped back, leaving TWG Motorsports (a new entity backed by General Motors) to take over the entry.
So what’s Cadillac’s Game Plan for 2026?
Now that they’re in, what’s next for Cadillac?
They’ve already mapped out their first few years in the sport.
Power Units
Cadillac will use Ferrari engines in 2026, but General Motors (GM) is working on its own F1 engine for the future. The plan is to develop a fully Cadillac-powered car by 2028.
Base of Operations
The team will operate from:
• Silverstone, UK (F1 development hub)
• Michigan, USA (General Motors HQ)
• Indiana & North Carolina, USA (Additional support facilities)
Main People in Charge (the head honchos, if you will 🤭)
• Graeme Lowdon (Team Principal) – Former Marussia F1 exec, now leading Cadillac’s F1 project.
• Russ O’Blenes (CEO, TWG GM Performance Power Units) – Overseeing Cadillac’s future engine development.
Cadillac is going all-in to make sure they’re competitive right from the start.
So, What Does This Mean for Formula 1?
Adding an 11th team isn’t just a minor change— it's a HUGE deal. A Game-changer.
We haven’t had more than 10 teams on the grid in nearly a decade, so this could open the door for even more expansion in the future...
1️⃣ More Cars = More Action
With 22 cars on the grid, we can expect more battles, more overtakes, and more unpredictability during races.
2️⃣ A True American Manufacturer in F1
Yes, we have Haas, but let’s be honest, Haas runs mostly like a satellite Ferrari team.
Cadillac is bringing a real American powerhouse into the sport, with full backing from General Motors.
3️⃣ A Fresh Shake-Up for the Midfield
Cadillac won’t be expected to win immediately, buuuuuut they could disrupt the midfield battle, putting pressure on teams like Williams, Alpine, and Haas 👀
So, what’s Next for Cadillac?
Car Design
They’ll start working on their 2026 challenger, using Ferrari power until their own engine is ready.
Driver Lineup
No drivers have been announced yet, but they’ll need experienced talent to develop the car. Could we see some of our IndyCar favs in the F1 Paddock next year? 👀
Sponsors & Partnerships
It's safe to say we can expect big-name American brands to get involved.
So… who should drive for Cadillac in 2026?
Should they go for an F1 veteran (Perez or Bottas, perhaps?) or bring in fresh talent, maybe someone from Indy like O'Ward?
Drop your dream lineup in the comments because I always LOVE to hear your thoughts 🥹
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