For the first time in ten years, eleven teams and thus 22 cars will start in the 2026 Formula 1 season. The World Automobile Association (FIA) and Formula 1 officially confirmed on Friday that Cadillac will join the premier class next year.
In a common statement it says: “The FIA and Formula 1 can confirm that the application of General Motors and TWG Motorsports, from 2026, was approved by a Cadillac team in the FIA formula 1 World Championship, after completing their respective sporty, technical and commercial reviews.”
Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali personally explains: “As we said in November, General Motors’ promise was an important and positive evidence of the development of our sport.”
“I would like to thank GM and TWG for their constructive commitment for many months and look forward to welcoming the team from 2026 in another exciting year of Formula 1 in the starting line -up,” said Domenicali.
FIA President Mohammed Bin Sulayem adds: “Today today marks a transformative moment, and I am proud to take the association for this advanced step for the championship. The expansion of the FIA formula 1 championship by an eleventh team in 2026 is a milestone.”
“GM/CADILLAC brings fresh energy that matches the new FIA regulations 2026 and heralds an exciting era for sport,” he says, adding: “The presence of GM/Cadillac in the paddock will inspire future participants and fans. Its entry strengthens our mission to expand the limits of motorsport at the highest level.”
Cadillac’s long way into Formula 1
After several years, the project has finally reached the goal. It originated in 2021 when Michael Andretti tried to take over the clean racing team. But because the deal burst shortly before the finish line, the American then planned a completely new team.
In 2023, this finally also received the FIA’s consent for a Formula 1 entry. But Formula 1 itself, which also has to give a new racing team approval for participation in the World Cup, refused to do so in early 2024.
It was only at the end of last year, after the project had thrown the name Andretti overboard and has been presenting itself as Cadillac since then, a fundamental agreement between the FIA, Formula 1 and General Motors via an entry in 2026.
“Last year we worked hand in hand with GM to create a solid basis for an extraordinary Formula 1 entry,” says Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports today.
“Now that after today’s final approval by the FIA and FOM, we are targeting 2026, we accelerate our efforts. We are expanding our facilities, refining top technologies and continuing to put together top -class talents,” said Towriss.
First, Cadillac will rely on Ferrari customer engines, later General Motors wants to build its own Formula 1 drive. A team boss also already has the project with Graeme Lowdon who will drive for the racing team in 2026 is still open.
Lowdon “couldn’t be proud”
For this purpose, a few long-term Formula 1 specialists have already been under contract, including the former technical director Pat Symonds, who has long worked for Renault. His Renault colleague Nick Chester is now also at Cadillac, just like Rob White as a former Renault engine boss.
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“I couldn’t be proud of the efforts that the entire Cadillac formula 1 team has undertaken. This announcement is the next step on the way to the starting line-up and continues our efforts to build a full work team,” said Lowdon.
“During the long and thorough application process, we have never lost the pace in our planning or our belief in our mission. We can hardly wait to run races and offer the fans a new team to cheer on,” he emphasizes.
For the last time, eleven teams have started in the 2016 Formula 1 season. After the Manor racing team had to register bankruptcy in early 2017, the premier class shrank to ten teams.
Although there have been numerous projects since then that were interested in an introduction to the premier class, Cadillac has been the first completely new racing team since Haas in 2016, which has received approval for Formula 1.