The dramatic entry of General Motors’ Cadillac brand into Formula 1 for the 2026 season is not just a milestone for American motorsport but also a tale of high-stakes politics, corporate maneuvering, and the looming specter of a US Department of Justice (DOJ) probe. Behind the glitz of the announcement lies a sequence of events that reveals how regulatory pressure and shifting power dynamics forced the sport’s hand.
Andretti’s Bid: A Rocky Start
The journey to Cadillac’s F1 debut began with Michael Andretti’s bid to bring his iconic name to the grid. Despite passing the FIA’s rigorous tender process, Andretti hit a brick wall when it came to commercial negotiations with Liberty Media, the sport’s commercial rights holder. Resistance from F1’s upper echelons—including major teams like Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull—left Andretti’s efforts in limbo, prompting concerns over collusion.
This stalemate led to the DOJ launching an antitrust investigation into Formula 1, focusing on allegations that Liberty Media and several teams were working together to block new entrants, including Andretti. By August 2024, Liberty Media confirmed the DOJ’s probe, signaling the start of a seismic shift in F1’s stance on expansion.
The Role of the DOJ: A Game-Changing Probe
According to motorsport journalist Joe Saward, the DOJ investigation uncovered potential “smoking gun” evidence of collusion between Liberty Media and five F1 teams via a WhatsApp group. This alleged collusion was aimed at thwarting new entrants like Andretti. Facing the prospect of a prolonged and damaging antitrust battle, Liberty Media’s leadership had little choice but to reconsider its opposition.
“F1 tittle-tattle suggested that the DOJ must have found some kind of smoking gun evidence,” Saward wrote, suggesting that the investigation forced Liberty Media to strike a settlement favorable to Cadillac’s entry. With the DOJ breathing down its neck, Liberty Media sought to end the saga as swiftly and discreetly as possible.
Shifting Power Dynamics and Political Pressure
Compounding the pressure was the impending shift in US political leadership. With Donald Trump set to return to the presidency in January 2025, Liberty Media faced an uncertain future for its other business ventures, particularly Live Nation, which was also under DOJ scrutiny. Liberty Chairman John Malone, a known Trump ally, likely sought to neutralize potential conflicts by conceding to the Cadillac bid before the administration change added further complexity.
Meanwhile, Andretti’s withdrawal from direct control of his F1 bid was a pivotal moment. In September 2024, Dan Towriss of TWG Global took the reins, rebranding the effort and strengthening ties with General Motors. The result was a streamlined operation that aligned Cadillac and TWG Global without the Andretti name, making it more palatable to F1’s commercial interests.
The Cadillac Breakthrough
In a move that took the paddock by surprise, the Cadillac F1 entry was officially confirmed just after the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend in November 2024. The announcement marked a turning point for F1, which had resisted expansion beyond its 10-team format for years. The timing, coupled with the DOJ probe and political undertones, suggested that external pressures had forced Liberty Media to approve the entry.
Political Intrigue and Corporate Interests
The political undertones surrounding Cadillac’s entry cannot be ignored. Towriss’ TWG Global and its owner Mark Walter, a Democrat, represent a stark contrast to Malone’s Trump-aligned interests. This bipartisan mix underscores the complexity of the deal, with both sides likely aiming to secure their interests ahead of a volatile political transition.
Saward’s report concludes that the DOJ’s investigation, coupled with internal and external political pressures, expedited the Cadillac entry. Liberty Media likely saw the move as a way to appease regulators while avoiding a prolonged antitrust battle that could have spilled over into its other business ventures.
What This Means for Formula 1
Cadillac’s arrival in 2026 represents a landmark moment for F1, cementing its growing ties with the American market. However, it also exposes the sport’s vulnerability to external pressures. The DOJ probe highlighted concerns about collusion and the sport’s resistance to expansion, forcing F1 to adapt its strategy.
While fans may celebrate Cadillac’s entry as a victory for the sport’s global growth, it raises questions about whether the process was driven by merit or by regulatory and political coercion.
Looking Ahead
With Cadillac preparing to debut on the 2026 grid, the focus will shift to how the new team performs against F1’s established giants. But the story behind its entry—a mix of regulatory scrutiny, political power plays, and corporate realignments—will remain a defining chapter in Formula 1’s modern era.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: Cadillac’s journey to F1 wasn’t just about racing; it was about navigating a labyrinth of politics and power to secure its place on the world’s most prestigious motorsport stage.