Formula One has announced that General Motors/Cadillac will be the eleventh team on the F1 starting grid from the 2026 season. GM will join F1 as an engine supplier at a later point in time. Earlier, GM’s F1 entry was approved by the FIA but rejected by F1 on commercial grounds, however, the campaigning paid off, and the US team has secured a spot for next year.
In an official statement, Formula One stated, “Over the course of this year, they have achieved operational milestones and made clear their commitment to brand the eleventh team GM/Cadillac, and that GM will enter as an engine supplier at a later time. Formula 1 is therefore pleased to move forward with this application process and will provide further updates in due course.”
Speaking of this latest development, Greg Maffei, President and CEO of Liberty Media said, “With Formula 1’s continued growth plans in the US, we have always believed that welcoming an impressive US brand like GM/Cadillac to the grid and GM as a future power unit supplier could bring additional value and interest to the sport.”
He added, “We credit the leadership of General Motors and their partners with significant progress in their readiness to enter Formula 1. We are excited to move forward with the application process for the GM/Cadillac team to enter the Championship in 2026.”
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1 said, “General Motors and Cadillac’s commitment to this project is an important and positive demonstration of the evolution of our sport. We look forward to seeing the progress and growth of this application, certain of the full collaboration and support of all the parties involved.”
As per sources, GM/Cadillac’s entry to F1 saw the company pay an anti-dilution fee of $450m (£358m) to secure the entry, which will be split between the current 10 teams as compensation for the loss of the prize money. The US team will have to use a customer engine until the development of its own engine is expected to be complete by 2028.
