An iconic American automotive powerhouse is set to join Formula 1’s grid. The 11th team, starting in 2026, will be General Motors through its Cadillac brand, having reached an ‘agreement in principle’ to take part in the championship. Aggressive news like this puts Cadillac right at the top of Formula 1 motor sport’s most lucrative and powerful stage and further strengthens the United States’ rising role in Formula 1.
This is a big leap for American manufacturers into the F1 races, but it’s not exactly the first. Haas’ F1 Team entered Formula 1 in 2016 as the first team led from the United States in decades with facilities in North Carolina and a technical partnership with Ferrari. Cadillac, on the other hand, is an aspiring full works manufacturer enjoying GM and Andretti Global backing with visions of having its own power unit by the end of the decade.
Cadillac’s entry bears the soul of a true American titan and brings the muscle and ambition to the world stage with a reputation of engineering excellence and luxury. One of the world’s largest and most innovative automakers, General Motors is backing the Cadillac F1 team. It hopes to show the American ingenuity and competitiveness in a sport that has traditionally been run by European teams.
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A Strategic Entry with General Motors Power
General Motors’ stronger commitment to the sport compared to Andretti Global’s initial effort in 2023, including General Motors’ own power unit development by the end of the decade, set this Cadillac-branded proposal apart from the ’23 version. FIA and president Mohammed Ben Sulayem have both confirmed that they back this bold entry, expressed as a “huge global brand and powerhouse in the OEM world.”
It also reflects the American spirit of taking things in your own hands. GM and Cadillac retooled their pitch, putting Cadillac on top, and saw their way onto the grid after F1 first turned Andretti’s bid down. America and F1 icon Mario Andretti will join the team’s advisory board, sharing his knowledge with what he described as an “exciting opportunity to build something uniquely American.”
Mario Andretti’s Advisory Role
F1 legend Mario Andretti, the 1978 World Champ who went on to become a competent broadcaster, will assist with a non-executive advisory role with Cadillac’s Formula 1 project. Sharing his thoughts on X, Andretti expressed his gratitude and excitement for being part of the team.
“I feel very lucky that I’ve been able to stick around for this long and do what I love. The idea that the Cadillac F1 Team wants me around… I’ll help where I can, offering advice, inspiration, and friendship.”
Speaking with NBC Andretti further expanded on his role and how his wealth of experience will help the team. He also suggested that he prefers to give strategic advice than take part in day to day activities:
“Obviously, they tried to tap off of my experience and what I see — a selection of driver talents and even technical talents. I don’t want a specific job where I have to punch in every day, but I welcome the opportunity to be part of key decisions. This is my rodeo.”
Reinforcing F1’s American Renaissance
This entry — Cadillac’s entry, that is — does have historic marksmanship with such a legendary figure in Andretti and the American automotive mastodon itself, General Motors, behind the wheel. It all comes at a time when Formula 1 is booming over in America, where there are at least three races a year. Cadillac’s entry should help keep F1 in the American market and put American engineering on a global stage.
Cadillac’s entry further cements the sport’s relevance in the United States where fans have received F1 in record fashion. American fans will not doubt be enthused by a new team and all the engineering that is being put on the world stage. For Cadillac it is not just about racing, it is about racing with an assertion of American innovation in the most hardcore racing environment in the world.
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