How Cadillac became F1’s 11th team in 2026
9th March 2025It was announced on Friday that Cadillac will join Formula 1 in 2026 as the 11th team on the grid, but how did they get there?
Feature image credit: Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
It had been a turbulent process for the American brand to get their team on their grid with it, at times, looking like it was an impossible feat to get another two seats on the grid.
On Friday, Cadillac, by General Motors and TWG Motorsport, achieved a difficult challenge and secured a place on the grid for next season, which will see new regulations come into play.
So, how did they get here?
Expression of Interest – February 2, 2023
In the early months of 2023, the FIA sent out invitations for ‘expression of interest,’ where a participant could express their interest in an opportunity to enter Formula 1 as a competitor.
The teams would be expected to compete at a ‘competitive level’ in the sport and be able to meet the team’s sustainability challenge to be net-zero by 2030.
FIA approves Andretti/Cadillac – October 2, 2023
After the ‘expression of interest’ was completed, only four candidates were able to move onto the next step of the process in May 2023, which included Andretti/General Motors.
In October, it was confirmed that Andretti was the only team who sufficed the FIA evaluation and went through to the commercial phase of the process.
FOM Reject Andretti Bid – January 31, 2024
Despite passing the evaluation, Andretti was rejected by Formula One Management on commercial grounds. The sport deemed Andretti’s arrival would not ‘provide value to the Championship’ and that they did not believe they ‘would be a competitive participant.’
FOM also confirmed they would ‘look differently on the application’ for 2028 alongside General Motors’ power unit entry.
Liberty Media under investigation – August 8, 2024
After Andretti’s rejection from their F1 entry, the United States Department of Justice investigated the sports owners, Liberty Media, over their decision.
This was done by a probe through the DOJ’s Antitrust Division.
F1 reaches ‘agreement in principle’ with General Motors entry
‘Agreement in Principle’ – November 25, 2024
On November 25, 2024, it was confirmed that F1 had made an ‘agreement in principal’ with General Motors to bring Cadillac – their brand – to the grid in 2026 as the 11th team.
This came after continued efforts from General Motors, which the sport had maintained ‘a dialogue’ with GM and its partners at TWG Global after the commercial assessment in January 2024.
Ferrari confirm to supply Cadillac power units – December 10, 2024
Following the agreement in principle, in the month before, Ferrari confirmed they would supply Cadillac – General Motors – with power units and gearboxes for the 2026 season, on the basis they were approved.
This ‘technical collaboration’ meant the Scuderia continued to have two ‘customer teams’ after Sauber, their current customer team, completes their transition to become Audi for 2026.
Understandably, this was a two-year deal with the iconic Italian outfit, as General Motors/Cadillac would be looking to produce their own engines in 2028.
Cadillac approved for 2026 – March 7, 2025
F1 and the FIA confirmed on Friday, March 7, after sporting, technical and commercial assessments that Cadillac will officially become the 11th team on the F1 grid.
The deciding parties, F1 and the FIA, confirmed the team had achieved ‘operational milestones’ and ‘made clear’ commitments to brand an 11th team on the grid, with their own power unit to come.
It means the total seats in Formula 1 will now increase from 20 drivers to 22 for the first time since 2016 when Manor was part of the championship.
Ferrari to power Cadillac F1 team entry from 2026 if approved
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Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.
I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
Kamron Kent
Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
