Cadillac joins Formula 1 in 2026

Quick look

• Cadillac is the first American automaker to enter its own F1 team which will be the 11th team on the starting grid in 2026.

• While starting with Ferrari power, the team is aggressively fast-tracking its proprietary GM Performance engine which is expected to be ready for the 2029 season.

If you follow Formula 1 news, you’ll know that the 2026 Formula 1 season will see an 11th team on the grid for the first time since 2016, It’s the Cadillac F1 Team. backed by the industrial might of General Motors and partnered with TWG Motorsports. So it’s not just another privateer entry; it represents the first true F1 works team from an American automaker, and they aren’t coming just to make up the numbers.

For those outside North America who still associate Cadillac with the ‘battleships’ of the 1970s – huge, heavy, and burning fuel at gallons per mile – that’s really an outdated impression. The brand moved away from that image decades ago. Today’s Cadillacs are sophisticated machines that can be compared with European luxury marques in terms of technology and dynamics.

However, because their footprint has remained largely North American, the change has not been noticed by global audiences. That is about to change as they use F1 (and Le Mans) to spearhead a new global presence.

Level playing field
The 2026 season brings a ‘triple reset’ in chassis, engine, and sporting regulations. By joining exactly when the rulebook is being rewritten, Cadillac avoids playing a multi-year game of catch-up with the seasoned teams which have long technical experience. Everyone has had to revise their cars, so the playing field is level – even for newcomers like Cadillac.

Veteran drivers
The team has already recruited two veteran drivers – Valtteri Bottas and Sergio “Checo” Perez – who have a combined 500+ Grand Prix starts and 16 wins. Supporting them is IndyCar star Colton Herta serving as a test driver and Chinese racer Zhou Guanyu as official reserve driver.

Ferrari engine first
Technically, Cadillac’s entry is a ‘phased’ works project. For the 2026 debut, the cars will be powered by Ferrari engines and gearboxes, allowing the team to focus on chassis and aero development. However, the ultimate goal is total independence; GM Performance Power Units is already hard at work on a proprietary Cadillac engine, which will be available in 2029.

Visually, the team has already begun a branding offensive to ensure they look the part. A striking logo was unveiled at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, followed by a sophisticated matte livery featuring the iconic Cadillac ‘V’ branding.

Ultimately, Cadillac’s success will depend on how effectively they can integrate the radical new rules into a cohesive platform. By pairing the experience of technical experts with the established performance of the Ferrari powertrain, the team hopes to avoid the ‘back-of-the-grid’ struggles typically associated with new entrants.

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