A new company has been created as plans for a works American team in F1 continue apace, which will be spearheaded by a man described as an "industry veteran".
TWG Motorsports and General Motors, who are overseeing the arrival of Cadillac into F1, have announced the formation of GM Performance Power Units LLC which will build the engines required under new regulations due to come into force next year.
Cadillac is due to be on the grid next season, although it is still awaiting official ratification from F1. For 2026 and 2027, the team is to utilise Ferrari power units before GM develops its own powertrains to run from 2028.
Russ O’Blenes, who is currently director of the GM Motorsports Propulsion and Performance team, has been named CEO of the new PU venture. O'Blenes has more than 30 years of motor racing engineering experience.
"We’re delighted to welcome Russ to this pivotal role," said Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports.
"His expertise and leadership will be instrumental as we lay the foundation for Cadillac’s Formula 1 journey. Together with team principal Graeme Lowdon, they will lead the team in setting new standards of performance and innovation in the sport.”
Cadillac brings in 'vast experience'
O’Blenes’ career includes powertrain development for championship racing teams and award-winning production vehicles. He also led the development of the GM Performance and Racing Centre in Pontiac, Michigan, and the commercialisation of the brand’s eCrate initiative for performance car builders and EV enthusiasts.
GM president Mark Reuss feels O'Blene's "vast experience from many championship racing series" is crucial to the role.
"He has outstanding technical expertise, including spearheading our hybrid IMSA Cadillac and Corvette C8.R engines that are proven winners,” said Reuss.
"In F1, we’re going to demonstrate GM’s engineering and technology capabilities on a global stage, and Russ is the right choice to lead the power unit team that will make it happen.”
Development and testing of the team’s Formula 1 prototype engine technology is already underway, although there are plans in place to open a dedicated facility for Performance Power Units LLC near GM’s Charlotte Technical Centre in 2026.
O'Blenes has declared himself as "truly excited to have the opportunity to build and lead the team that will bring an American-built F1 power unit to the grid.
He added: "GM PPU is currently ramping up its team and is hiring in all areas of the business."
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