General Motors confirmed as new F1 engine manufacturer from 2029

It’s official: General Motors will supply its own power units in Formula 1 starting from the 2029 season. The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has approved GM Performance Power Units LLC, an entity created specifically for this project by General Motors and TWG Motorsports, as a new engine manufacturer for the Formula 1 World Championship.

A new engine manufacturer joins the fray

This decision comes as work on the powertrain group is already underway. The first prototypes are in development, alongside the construction of a dedicated site near GM’s technical center in Charlotte, North Carolina, with an opening planned for 2026. According to available information, this new facility would represent an investment of approximately 150 million dollars.

This green light from the FIA for the GM engine completes the overall project already initiated with Cadillac F1. On the grid as of 2026, the American team will start with Ferrari power units for three seasons, before integrating GM’s own engines in 2029. This one-year delay compared to the initially planned schedule will allow American engineers to refine their technology while the team acclimates to the competition.

The FIA’s vision: openness and innovation

In his statement, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem highlighted the strategic importance of this approval: “Welcoming GM Performance Power Units LLC as an approved power unit supplier for the championship starting in 2029 marks a new step in the global expansion of Formula 1.”

He also praised the American manufacturer’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity – key values for the FIA in the new F1 engine era, set for 2026, with the rise of sustainable fuels and the increase in the electric share.

An asserted ambition on the GM side

Leading GM Performance Power Units, we find Russ O’Blenes, a long-time chief engineer at GM. In his first official statement after FIA validation, he confirmed: « With this approval, we will accelerate our efforts to bring a 100% American F1 engine to the grid. »

General Motors thus becomes the latest big name to join the exclusive circle of engine manufacturers in Formula 1, alongside Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda, Renault, and Audi, the latter set to make its debut in 2026.

With this announcement, F1 confirms its attractiveness to giants of the automotive industry, and takes another step towards a more international, more technological, and more diverse championship.