In a landmark development that is set to revitalize grand prix racing, Cadillac’s entrance into the renowned Formula 1 grid has been officially sanctioned by the governing bodies, FIA and FOM, for the year 2026. This resolution is a fitting conclusion to a prolonged narrative that initiated in January 2023, under the stewardship of FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem who first envisaged an expansion of the F1 grid.
The original proposal, spearheaded by the Andretti-led team, faced a significant hurdle in January of the preceding year. Despite obtaining approval from the FIA for a slot, it was denied a commercial deal by F1, which argued that an Andretti entry would not contribute any unique value to grand prix racing. This decision invited controversy and led the Andretti organization to lodge a complaint with the Department of Justice in the USA over potential anti-competition breaches.
In the midst of this discord, the project underwent a significant transformation behind the scenes. This shift in leadership, orchestrated by the original founder Michael Andretti stepping back and Dan Towriss assuming the helm, paved the way for the project to evolve into a factory Cadillac entry, initially powered by customer Ferrari engines.
The prospect of incorporating a major new manufacturer, Cadillac’s parent company General Motors, was deemed a game-changer by F1. This marked a departure from the original plans which could have necessitated one of the current car-makers to supply Andretti with engines. Cadillac intends to introduce its own power unit from 2028. The entry of General Motors into F1 is set to enhance the profile of grand prix racing further.
The revamped project, following rigorous evaluation, has now been given the final green light. The approval of this entry was hailed by F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, who underscored the importance of the evolution of the team’s plans. He expressed his gratitude towards GM and TWG for their constructive engagement over several months. He eagerly anticipates welcoming the team on the grid from 2026, which promises to be another thrilling year for Formula 1.
FIA president Ben Sulayem shared his jubilation on witnessing his vision of an 11th team on the grid becoming a reality. He described the entry of the Cadillac Formula 1 team as a transformative moment, adding fresh energy to the sport. The presence of the Cadillac team in the paddock, he believes, will inspire future competitors and fans, strengthening the mission to push the boundaries of motorsport at the highest level.
This exciting journey to Cadillac’s entry into F1 started with Ben Sulayem’s initiative in January 2023 to add an extra team to the grid. With the FIA opening its expressions of interest process and the subsequent evaluation of seven expressions of interest, the Andretti-Cadillac team ultimately met the FIA’s criteria in October 2023. Despite initial rejection by FOM in January 2024, the story took a turn in November 2024 with F1 reaching a principle agreement with General Motors. The plan evolved to focus more on manufacturer involvement, transforming into a Cadillac works team. Finally, in March 2025, FIA and FOM approved Cadillac’s entry into the F1 grid for 2026, marking a new chapter in the history of Formula 1.