Cadillac to become 11th team on Formula One grid in 2026
Formula 1 is set to have an eleventh team on the grid by 2026 after Cadillac’s proposed entry was approved by the sport’s bosses.
Cadillac, a division of US auto giant General Motors, is expected to be powered by Ferrari before developing its own engines.
The move comes after F1 initially rejected the bid led by Andretti – owned by former F1 driver Michael Andretti, son of 1978 world champion Mario Andretti – earlier this year. The name Andretti has now been removed from the proposal. And while it’s clear that Mario will have an ambassadorial role in the project, Michael is no longer involved.
“Formula 1 today announced that it has reached an agreement in principle with General Motors (GM) to support the introduction of GM/Cadillac as the eleventh team in Formula 1 in 2026,” Formula 1 said in a statement on Monday. “Formula 1 has maintained a dialogue with General Motors and its partners at TWG Global, regarding the feasibility of an entry following Formula 1’s commercial assessment and decision in January 2024.
“Over the course of this year, they have achieved operational milestones and made it clear that they are committed to calling the eleventh team GM/Cadillac, and that GM will join as an engine supplier at a later date. Formula 1 is therefore pleased to continue with this application process and will provide further updates in due course.”
The other ten teams were largely against the introduction of a new team due to the dilution of prize money.
F1’s presence in the United States has increased dramatically in recent seasons due to the success of the sport’s Netflix series Drive to Survive and the growing number of races in America.
The announcement comes less than 48 hours after the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the third American race on the calendar after Miami and Austin.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who has called for more teams and clashed with F1 over Andretti’s original proposal, said: “General Motors is a huge global brand and powerhouse in the OEM world and is working with impressive partners. I fully support the efforts of the FIA, Formula 1, GM and the team to maintain dialogue and work towards this outcome of an agreement in principle to move forward with this application to establish a GM/branded team Get Cadillac on the grid for 2026. FIA Formula 1 World Championship.
“All parties, including the FIA, will continue to work together to ensure the process runs smoothly.”