Official: GM and Cadillac announce their arrival in F1

Liberty Media, owner of Formula 1, has reached a preliminary agreement with General Motors (GM) to introduce GM/Cadillac as the 11th team on the Formula 1 grid from 2026, the F1 statement explains.

If the announcement confirms the arrival of GM and Cadillac as the 11th F1 team for 2026, there are still many procedural steps to follow before confirming entry into the championship, including the approval of the FIA, International Automobile Federation.

The statement remains cautious: « Formula 1 is in dialogue with General Motors and its partners at TWG Global to assess the viability of this entry following the business evaluation and decision made in January 2024. Significant operational steps have been taken throughout this year, and GM has confirmed its commitment by naming the team under the GM/Cadillac brand, with the intention of becoming an engine supplier in the future. Formula 1 is therefore pleased to progress in this application process and will provide further updates in due course.

Greg Maffei, President and CEO of Liberty Media, confirmed that GM will provide the engines for the team, although for 2026, nothing is certain yet, given the proximity of this season.

With the continuous development of Formula 1 in the United States, we have always believed that the arrival of a prestigious American brand like GM/Cadillac on the grid, and GM as a future engine supplier, could bring added value and increased interest to the sport.

We salute the significant progress made by General Motors and their partners in their preparation to join Formula 1. We look forward to continuing the application process for the GM/Cadillac team to join the Championship in 2026.

On his side, the CEO of F1, Stefano Domenicali, is delighted to see another major manufacturer committing to Formula 1, at a time when Renault, on its side, is disengaging its engines.

« General Motors and Cadillac’s involvement in this project is an important and positive demonstration of the evolution of our sport. We look forward to seeing the progress and development of this application, convinced of the support and full cooperation of all parties involved.

The FIA in the loop and ready to receive the application

During Andretti’s candidacy in F1 last winter, the FIA first issued a statement explaining that it was validating Andretti’s entry into the F1 championship. The statement was then picked up by the FOM, Liberty Media, and Stefano Domenicali to explain that F1 would in turn take on the case to judge its relevance.

This time, the FIA did not seem to have to judge a case. However, the FIA was consulted, and Liberty Media seems to be taking the lead, unlike the Andretti case.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, was also asked and therefore joins the statement: « General Motors is a leading global brand and a major player in the equipment sector. », he explains.

If the president of the FIA supports the candidacy, he nevertheless points out that it is a tentative agreement, pending validation of participation in the championship.

« They work with impressive partners. I fully support the efforts made by the FIA, Formula 1, GM, and the team to maintain a constructive dialogue and progress towards this principle agreement. This agreement will allow for a team to be integrated under the GM/Cadillac brand on the grid of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship in 2026. All parties, including the FIA, will continue to collaborate to ensure that this process runs smoothly. »

These words suggest that a new entry validation process will be conducted by the FIA in the coming months.

On his part, Mark Reuss, President of General Motors, is very happy to see one of his brands being able to enter Formula 1 and sees it as an honor that F1 bestows upon him. As the pinnacle of motorsport, Formula 1 demands limitless innovation and excellence. It is an honor for General Motors and Cadillac to join this prestigious racing series, and we are committed to competing with passion and integrity to elevate this sport in the eyes of fans worldwide. It is a global stage where we can showcase GM’s technical expertise and technological leadership to an entirely new level.

A partnership with a group of investors

The surprise of this announcement is the name TWG Global Motorsports, mentioned several times. TWG Global is a conglomerate of investors, a bit like Dorilton Capital, which now owns Williams. Their goal is to enhance their portfolio, and they will apparently provide the necessary funding to GM and Cadillac to finance their entry into Formula 1.

For now, the role of this entity is unclear, but significant enough to be mentioned right from the official announcement of F1. Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Global Motorsports, commented: “We are delighted to partner with General Motors to bring a dynamic presence to Formula 1. Together, we form a world-class team that will embody American innovation and offer unforgettable moments to racing fans around the world. We thank the FIA and FOM for their support of our candidacy and for recognizing the value we can bring to the championship.”

What about Andretti’s participation?

For several months, Andretti has been promoting positions to work in the Formula 1 sector. Michael Andretti had also announced that he wanted to continue fighting to enter F1, while Liberty Media had rejected his application last January.

GM and Cadillac had shown interest in joining the Andretti project, and apparently GM has continued to work on the subject on their own.

Not once is the name Andretti mentioned by the various actors. It is therefore likely that either the team will continue on its own, or GM will buy Andretti’s “Formula 1” assets.