Formula 1 is about to undergo a seismic shift, as Cadillac gears up to enter the sport in 2026. According to Racing Bulls Team Principal Laurent Mekies, Cadillac’s arrival will turn the championship into an all-out war between automotive titans.
“It’s a battle of giants,” Mekies declared. “Pretty much all teams will be backed by major manufacturers except for Williams and us [Racing Bulls].”
Cadillac is not just coming to compete—it’s here to disrupt the status quo. The American powerhouse will partner with Ferrari as a customer team in 2026, before introducing its own power unit in 2028, becoming a full-fledged works team.
With F1 becoming a battleground for global manufacturers, the question now is: Will Cadillac elevate American motorsport on the world stage, or will it struggle to keep pace with established European giants?
The Rising Influence of Global Automotive Powerhouses in F1
Cadillac’s impending debut isn’t happening in isolation—it’s part of a broader shift where Formula 1 is becoming dominated by automotive superpowers.
🔹 Cadillac joins a stacked field of manufacturer-backed teams, including:
- Ferrari
- Mercedes
- Red Bull (Ford-backed)
- Honda (partnering with Aston Martin from 2026)
- Audi (joining in 2026)
🔹 McLaren and Alpine—while not power unit manufacturers—are major global brands with significant influence outside F1.
🔹 Haas now has Toyota connections, further solidifying the dominance of automakers in the sport.
That leaves only two truly independent teams—Racing Bulls and Williams—who lack full manufacturer backing, making their path to competitiveness even more challenging.
“It’s another sign that the sport is moving toward a battle of global automotive giants,” Mekies explained.
The Billion-Dollar Question: Cadillac’s Entry Fee & F1’s Growing Valuation
Cadillac’s entry doesn’t just bring excitement—it raises financial concerns. Under the current Concorde Agreement, new teams must pay an anti-dilution fee of $200 million, meant to compensate existing teams for splitting the prize pool further.
However, as F1 team valuations have skyrocketed, some teams believe this fee should be significantly higher.
🔹 Current team valuations: Each F1 team is now worth at least $1 billion, making Cadillac’s $200 million entry fee outdated.
🔹 Existing teams demand a bigger fee: Racing Bulls CEO Peter Bayer explained why teams want to increase the buy-in price for Cadillac.
“If you look back at 2005, when [Red Bull founder] Mr. Mateschitz bought Minardi to keep it alive, and you add up what he invested until today, we’re talking a billion dollars.”
Bayer argues that existing teams have invested billions into building competitive operations, and allowing Cadillac in at a lower price would undervalue their contributions.
Discussions between Cadillac and Formula One Management (FOM) are ongoing, with the outcome potentially reshaping how future entries are handled.
What Cadillac Brings to F1 & Why It’s a Game-Changer
Why is Cadillac’s entry so significant?
✔️ Boosts American presence in F1 – With the success of the Las Vegas GP and growing U.S. interest, Cadillac’s arrival strengthens F1’s hold in North America.
✔️ More competition, more excitement – An 11th team shakes up the grid, making midfield battles even more unpredictable.
✔️ Potential for a powerhouse team – If Cadillac invests properly, they could become a serious contender in the long run.
“We must see where the sport can go in the next level,” Mekies emphasized.
Cadillac’s long-term ambition of becoming a full works team by 2028 puts them on a collision course with F1’s elite manufacturers. But first, they must finalize their commercial agreement with FOM and navigate the anti-dilution fee debate.
Will Cadillac Shake Up F1, or Face the Same Fate as Previous New Entries?
Cadillac’s 2026 arrival could be a defining moment in F1’s modern era—but will they succeed where others have failed?
🔹 Best-case scenario: They become a competitive, fully-backed American powerhouse, pushing F1’s technology and challenging the sport’s European dominance.
🔹 Worst-case scenario: They struggle with development, fall into Haas’ midfield purgatory, and fail to challenge the major manufacturers.
Either way, 2026 is set to mark a historic moment in F1, as Cadillac prepares to take on the giants.
🚀 Fasten your seatbelts—Formula 1’s next era is about to get even more intense.
