Cadillac accelerating effort on 'extraordinary F1 entry'

Cadillac bosses have promised a full-steam-ahead approach to what it has described as its "extraordinary F1 entry" ahead of its debut in 2026.

After a two-year wait since the FIA called for expressions of interest for an 11th team to join F1, Cadillac has been rubberstamped by FOM and motorsport's world governing body.

Despite FOM rejecting the initial bid from Andretti just over 13 months ago, despite the support of General Motors at the time, the door was left ajar for the manufacturing giant to step in and take more of a leading role.

A path was eventually cleared when Michael Andretti moved aside last year. In came long-time partner Dan Towriss, via his TWG Motorsports arm, and with GM committing to a power unit from 2028, F1 has now approved the commercial application.

Behind the scenes, TWG and GM have continued with their plans, building up resources and making crucial appointments in the strong belief they would be accepted. The team has just 10-and-a-half months before pre-season testing begins for 2026.

A naturally delighted Towriss said: "For the past years, we have worked hand in hand with GM, to lay a robust foundation for an extraordinary F1 entry.

"Now, with 2026 in our sights after today’s final approval from the FIA and Formula 1, we’re accelerating our efforts, expanding our facilities, refining cutting-edge technologies and continuing to assemble top-tier talent."

Since the bid to join F1 was announced in January 2023, TWG Motorsports has assembled an experienced team of over 300 people working on aerodynamics, chassis and component development, software and vehicle dynamics simulation.

Development work to join the grid in 2026 has continued at pace with operational wind-tunnel models, parts production and performance testing, with bases in Indianapolis, Indiana; Charlotte, North Carolina; Warren, Michigan, and Silverstone, England.

GM president Mark Reuss said: "We’re thrilled the Cadillac Formula 1 Team is official, as the team has been accelerating its work.

"We’re incredibly grateful for the support from the FIA and Formula 1 leadership for us and for our partners at TWG. The excitement only grows as we get closer to showcasing GM’s engineering expertise on the prestigious global stage of F1."

Graeme Lowdon, who was appointed as team principal late last year, has expressed his pride that all the work has finally paid off.

"This announcement is the next step in getting on the grid and continues our efforts towards building a full-works team," said Lowdon.

"Through the long and thorough application process, we have never lost pace in our planning or our belief in the mission. We can’t wait to go racing and give fans a new team to cheer for."