Born to Compete: Cadillac Racing’s Charge into F1

The Cadillac Formula 1 Team's arrival marks more than just another competitor in motorsport's premier series. It represents well over a century of American automotive innovation, with the cutting-edge technology demanded by modern racing's toughest arena.

This follows a rigorous application process that began in 2023. The Cadillac Formula 1 Team, backed by General Motors and co-owned by TWG Motorsports, worked methodically through requirements set by the FIA and Formula One Management, earning final approval in March 2025. Now, with final approval secured, the operation has already assembled over 300 specialists working across facilities in Indianapolis, Charlotte, and Warren in the US, and Silverstone in England.

Cadillac F1

Cadillac F1 2026 LIVERY

Engineering Heritage Meets Modern Competition

Cadillac's motorsport credentials extend well beyond this F1 venture. Cadillac’s modern performance and motorsport journey took shape with the introduction of the V-Series, a portfolio that celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024 and continues to bring racing learnings directly to the road. More recently, Cadillac has demonstrated its competitive edge in contemporary endurance racing. The V-Series.R Hypercar secured a podium finish in its 2023 Le Mans debut while the brand swept every IMSA GTP trophy that season.

This motorsport success builds on 120 years of engineering milestones. From the first mass-produced V8 engine in 1915 to the electric self-starter in 1912 – technology now standard across the industry – Cadillac has consistently pushed technical boundaries. The brand's "Standard of the World" moniker, earned through pioneering standardized, interchangeable parts, was not just marketing, but recognition of genuine innovation.

Today's Cadillac lineup reflects this legacy through a diverse portfolio that balances performance and innovation. Advanced driver assistance technology exemplifies the brand's continued innovation focus: Super Cruise, the industry's first true hands-free driver assistance system, has helped customers rack up hundreds of millions of hands-free miles on roads across US and Canada. The F1 program represents the next chapter in Cadillac’s performance journey, where racing development will inform future production technologies just as it has throughout the brand's history.

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Cadillac F1 2026 LIVERY 1

Building Toward a Full Works Operation

GM Performance Power Units LLC, led by industry veteran Russ O'Blenes, is already developing proprietary F1 engines. With over 30 years in motorsport engineering, O'Blenes brings experience from championship-winning programs and has spearheaded development of hybrid powertrains for IMSA competition.

The F1 power unit development leverages GM's expertise in electrification, hybrid systems, sustainable fuels, and advanced controls.

A dedicated facility near GM's Charlotte Technical Center is scheduled to open in 2026, housing the power unit development operation. The team has already begun prototype engine testing, working toward approval for race use by decade's end – transforming Cadillac into a full works constructor building both chassis and power units.

While many expansion teams face steep learning curves, Cadillac's preparation has been methodical. Operational wind-tunnel models are producing data, parts manufacturing has commenced, and performance testing continues at pace. The team's multi-facility structure allows specialization: aerodynamics and chassis development in England, powertrain engineering in Michigan, and race operations based in Charlotte and Indianapolis.

The 2026 F1 regulations – featuring revised technical specifications, including new power unit architecture – provide a fresh challenge for all teams, somewhat leveling the competitive landscape. Cadillac's hybrid racing experience from IMSA competition with the electrified V-Series.R serves as a technical foundation.

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Front overhead view of three Cadillac V-Series.R hybrid racecars on the track at Le Mans 2023

Putting American Motorsport Back onto the Global Stage

Cadillac's F1 entry carries particular significance for American motorsport. No American constructor has won an F1 race since the 1970s, and factory-backed American participation has been limited in recent decades. The Cadillac program, backed by America's largest automaker, represents genuine ambition.

We are proud to be the first American car brand in the modern era on the F1 grid, and we enter with humility and deep respect for the sport. The road ahead is long. There is no finish line.

From the evolution of the V-Series performance era to the advanced hybrid technologies shaping today’s competition, Cadillac’s ambition remains clear: to push engineering forward and compete at the highest level.