Entering the world of Formula 1 in 2026, Cadillac will be the newest addition to the grid. The green light for Cadillac’s entry into the prestigious racing championship comes after a period of uncertainty and a reshaping of the team. The Cadillac F1 team today is a far cry from its initial incarnation when the application was first submitted to the International Automobile Federation (FIA), a transformation that sparked a wave of confusion.
The enigmatic journey to Cadillac’s F1 acceptance was recently demystified by Dan Towriss, the CEO of TWG Motorsports and the head honcho of the Cadillac operation. In a candid dialogue with Sky Sports News, Towriss delved into the origin of the confusion and how the team managed to adapt and evolve.
Cadillac’s foray into F1 was initially conceived by Andretti Global, a venture spearheaded by ex-Formula 1 driver Michael Andretti and backed by Dan Towriss, the CEO of Group1001 and Andretti’s business partner. Towriss’ alliance with Andretti opened the financial avenues necessary for the team to broaden its horizons beyond its IndyCar operations and consider the leap into Formula 1 when the FIA invited new teams to express their interest.
The US car manufacturer Cadillac soon jumped on board, with plans to create an F1 power unit in the future. The FIA accepted the original bid led by Andretti, but it was turned down by Formula One Management (FOM), leaving the door ajar for Cadillac’s future entry.
Despite the initial setback, the Andretti-Cadillac partnership remained steadfast in its ambition to make its mark on F1. The duo pressed forward with the construction of its first F1 chassis while undergoing a significant restructure that saw Michael Andretti stepping aside and Towriss assuming a larger role. This shift also led to Cadillac taking center stage, which ultimately led to their acceptance by FOM in late 2024.
In a conversation with Sky Sports News, Towriss shed light on the team’s journey to F1, stating, “A significant amount of work was done behind the scenes to help Formula 1 and Liberty Media understand just what we were bringing to the table.”
Towriss was a noticeable presence at late-season events like the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where he likely took the opportunity to elucidate to FIA officials and F1 insiders the promising future Cadillac could bring to the sport. He expressed, “There was certainly some confusion about certain statements made over time. Once it became clear that it was the Cadillac F1 team, they saw the value we were adding to the series.”
FOM’s initial concerns seemed to stem from the belief that the Andretti-led team might not be adequately prepared for the high demands of F1. However, Towriss’ increased involvement seemed to allay these concerns. Towriss, now announced as the CEO of TWG Motorsports, a division of TWG Global, will oversee the company’s motorsport portfolio, including the Cadillac F1 team’s entry, Andretti’s IndyCar team, Wayne Taylor Racing in IMSA, and Spire Motorsports in NASCAR.
