Well, it has finally happened. After what feels like an eternity of boardroom squabbling, corporate hand-wringing, and a fair amount of melodrama, Cadillac will officially join the Formula 1 grid in 2026. General Motors, in partnership with TWG Motorsports, has received the final stamp of approval from the sport’s governing bodies, confirming the arrival of America’s latest attempt at conquering the pinnacle of motorsport.
A Rocky Road to the Grid
This whole saga has had more twists than a Mumbai street in rush hour. For months, there were doubts over whether GM’s bid—initially tied to the Andretti name—would make it past the gatekeepers of the sport. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, perhaps feeling generous, has now given the all-clear, calling it a “positive demonstration of the evolution of our sport.”
Translation: The Americans have brought a lot of money, and that sort of thing is rarely frowned upon in F1.
Power, Prestige, and a Ferrari Stopgap
Initially, Cadillac’s cars will be powered by Ferrari engines—yes, an American team with Italian muscle. It’s a bit like putting a Harley-Davidson badge on a Ducati. However, the long-term plan is far more ambitious: GM’s newly established TWG GM Performance Power Units division will develop its own hybrid turbo V6 engine, turning Cadillac into a full works team by 2030.
For those of you who like numbers, and I know you do, that means we can expect around 1,000 bhp and upwards of 1,000 Nm of torque from these power units—enough to get from 0 to “blimey, that was quick” in less than three seconds.
The $450 Million Speed Bump
Of course, not everyone is thrilled about this American invasion. Enter Mercedes-AMG team boss Toto Wolff, who has been vocal about his displeasure at having an 11th team on the grid. Despite Cadillac agreeing to pay a staggering Rs 3,700 crore ($450 million) anti-dilution fee to ensure existing teams aren’t financially inconvenienced, Wolff still feels it’s not enough. In F1, money talks, but apparently not loud enough for the Austrian.
Who Gets the Drive?
With the entry now secured, the only question left is: Who will drive for Cadillac in 2026? Will they go for an American star, like IndyCar’s Colton Herta, or will they try to poach an established F1 driver with experience? The team’s principal, Graeme Lowdon—formerly of the short-lived Marussia F1 team—has plenty of decisions to make.
Whoever gets the nod, one thing is certain: Cadillac’s arrival in Formula 1 is going to be loud, proud, and, if history is anything to go by, wonderfully chaotic. Bring on 2026.
