F1 welcomes a new team, followed live after the official announcement
Direct. Formula 1 has announced that GM (General Motors) will join the F1 World Championship in 2026, so in just over a season. The team will be Cadillac, and powered in 2026 by an engine still uncertain. Here is all the information on the subject.
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Live
November 26, 2024
9:30 am: It is not yet known which engine will be used by the Cadillac team for its arrival in F1 from 2026. Indeed, that season, a new technical and engine regulation will be introduced. Teams are allowed to start working on it from mid-January, but for now, GM (General Motors) will not be ready to provide an engine to its team. GM is expected to arrive as its own F1 engine supplier only in 2028 or 2029.
According to initial intentions, Honda, which also powers Andretti’s Indycar team, would be the logical choice. This would allow the manufacturer, which will only supply Aston Martin in 2026, to equip an additional team.
Other possibilities like Audi or Mercedes are possible, but also the acquisition of Renault’s blueprints and prototypes, who just announced the end of its F1 engine program last month.
9:00 AM: Mario Andretti commented that he was returning to his first love.
“My first love was Formula 1 and today, 70 years later, the F1 paddock is still my happy place. I am absolutely thrilled about Cadillac, Formula 1, Mark Walter, and Dan Towriss. To still be involved at this stage of my life, I must pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.”
November 25, 2024
8:15 pm: TWG Global is announced as a partner of Cadillac and GM for their arrival in F1 in 2026. This brand still seems unknown and appears to be a consortium of investors. It therefore seems to be the partner that will bring together the funds to help the team finance itself.
8:00 p.m.: The Andretti family will indeed play a role in the Cadillac project. Mario Andretti, the father of the Andretti family, who is now 84 years old, will be on the board of directors.
Mario Andretti commented: “I feel very fortunate to have been able to stay in this environment for so long and do what I love for so many years. And the idea that the Cadillac F1 team wants me to be involved… I will contribute as much as possible, in a non-executive role within the team, without being involved in daily operations (because I don’t want a job 😀), but by providing advice, inspiration, and friendship where I can. I am incredibly privileged.”
I feel very lucky that I’ve been able to stick around for this long and do what I love for so long. And the idea that the Cadillac F1 Team wants me around….I’ll help where I can, a non-executive role with the team, not involved in day-to-day operations (because I don’t want a…
— Mario Andretti (@MarioAndretti) November 25, 2024
7:50 PM: For several months, Andretti continued to recruit massively, especially for its new factory located in Silverstone, in the Formula 1 valley in England.
7:45 pm: See the announcement posted on the site as well as the quotes from Domenicali and GM.
7:30 pm: Michael Andretti, son of Formula 1 driver Mario Andretti, who currently leads the Andretti team in Nascar, Indycar, and who drove in F1 in 1993 with McLaren, welcomed this announcement and does not seem to hold a position in this Cadillac project.
Michael Andretti commented: The Cadillac F1 team is made up of a strong group of individuals who have worked tirelessly to build an American factory team. I am very proud of the hard work they have done and I congratulate everyone who contributed to this important step. I will support you enthusiastically!
The Cadillac F1 Team is made up of a strong group of people that have worked tirelessly to build an American works team. I’m very proud of the hard work they have put in and congratulate all involved on this momentous next step. I will be cheering for you!
— Michael Andretti (@michaelandretti) November 25, 2024
7:20 pm It is necessary to remember that Andretti had seen his request rejected by Formula 1 because it believed that without the support of a manufacturer behind, ready to invest massively, as Audi has done in recent months, Andretti could not sustain the necessary development pace.
7:15 pm: Formula 1 announces a bombshell. There will indeed be an 11th team in the paddock in 2026 and it is not a fictional team for the cinema, as we can currently see in the paddock for the filming of the F1 movie, with the fictional team APX GP.
It will be the Cadillac Formula One Team, probably powered by Honda or equipped with Renault engine plans. It is not yet known what the team’s engine will be.
19:10 Official: Formula 1 announces the arrival of an 11th team in F1, it will be Cadillac, as of 2026.
