Exciting developments are on the horizon for Formula One as General Motors-backed Cadillac secures its spot as the sport's 11th team starting in 2026. This milestone was confirmed after receiving formal approval from Formula One's commercial rights holders and the FIA on Friday.
In a joint statement, Formula One and the FIA highlighted that all necessary sporting, technical, and commercial assessments have been successfully completed. The agreement follows initial discussions in November, after Formula One previously rejected a bid under the Andretti name approved by the FIA.
"As we said in November, the commitment by General Motors to bring a Cadillac team to Formula One was an important and positive demonstration of the evolution of our sport," stated Formula One Chief Executive Stefano Domenicali. He expressed gratitude towards GM and TWG Motorsports for their constructive engagement and looked forward to the team's debut on the grid in 2026.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem described the expansion to 11 teams as a "transformative moment" and a significant milestone for the championship. He added, "GM/Cadillac brings fresh energy, aligning with the new FIA 2026 regulations and ushering in an exciting era for the sport. The Cadillac Formula One team's presence in the paddock will inspire future competitors and fans."
Formula One is set to enter a new engine era in 2026, accompanied by substantial chassis regulation changes. Cadillac has secured a deal to utilize Ferrari engines until General Motors is ready to produce their own.
Leading the charge, Briton Graeme Lowdon has been appointed to helm the team, with a new European headquarters established at Silverstone. Lowdon shared his optimism, stating, "In terms of being ready to race, everything is on schedule. There's an awful lot of work that has gone on in the background. We're in a significantly better position now that we're a fully-fledged F1 team. We will have access to all the data and information that all the other teams have, allowing us to push to develop the most competitive car possible."
On the driver front, Lowdon emphasized that selections will be based on merit, highlighting the possibility of having an American driver, which he believes would resonate well with fans. "There's nothing preventing a driver being selected on merit and being American. I think that would be something that a lot of fans would really want to see as well," he added.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
