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Cadillac in Formula One

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United States Cadillac-Ferrari
Full nameCadillac Formula 1 Team[1]
Base
Team principal(s)
Technical directorNick Chester[2]
(Technical Director)
John McQuilliam[2]
(Chief Designer)
Jon Tomlinson[2]
(Head of Aerodynamics)
Formula One World Championship career
First entry2026 (contracted)
EnginesFerrari
General Motors as a Formula One engine manufacturer
Formula One World Championship career
First entryTBC
ChassisCadillac

American car manufacturer General Motors is contracted to compete as a Formula One constructor under the Cadillac brand as Cadillac Formula 1 Team, beginning with the 2026 season, and is set to become a power unit manufacturer by the end of the 2020s.[1]

The project has three bases in the United States—in Indiana, North Carolina and Michigan—and one in the United Kingdom.[1]

Background

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In January 2023, General Motors (GM) announced their intention to enter the Cadillac brand into the Formula One World Championship in collaboration with Andretti Global.[3] The move was approved by the FIA but declined by the Formula One Group,[4][5] which said that it would prefer a team "with a GM power unit, either as a GM works team or as a GM customer team".[6] Despite the rejection, Andretti continued to build up the team and operations, using Toyota's wind tunnel in Cologne.[7] Andretti hired several alumni of Flavio Briatore's Renault operation for senior roles, including Formula One CTO Pat Symonds,[8] technical director Nick Chester, aerodynamicist Jon Tomlinson, and advisor Naoki Tokunaga.[2]

In November 2024, Los Angeles Dodgers lead owner and Chelsea F.C. co-owner Mark Walter announced that he had purchased Andretti through his holding company TWG Global.[9][7] He retained Andretti minority owner Dan Towriss to serve as the CEO of TWG's motorsports division.[9] Michael Andretti remained as an advisor,[9] and Mario Andretti agreed to serve on the board of directors.[7][1]

That same month, GM announced they would enter the championship as a constructor in 2026 under the Cadillac brand, and that GM would enter as an engine supplier at a later date.[10] GM reportedly paid an expansion fee of US$450 million, over twice as much as originally demanded.[11] Formula One Group CEO Stefano Domenicali stated that GM's commitment to the project was an "important and positive demonstration of the evolution of [the] sport".[10] In December, the team hired former Virgin and Marussia CEO Graeme Lowdon as team principal and Renault engine specialist Rob White as chief operations officer.[12][13]

In December 2024, Ferrari announced that Cadillac had signed a multi-year deal to use their engines and gearboxes from 2026 onwards.[14] Joe Saward reported that GM was seeking to purchase the intellectual property of Renault's former power unit programme.[15]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "General Motors launches Cadillac Formula 1 Team and power unit". General Motors. November 25, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d "Andretti's hiring spree". Motor Sport Magazine. September 3, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  3. ^ "Andretti Global and General Motors Team Up in F1 Pursuit". Cadillac. January 5, 2023. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  4. ^ Wolkin, Joseph (October 2, 2024). "Andretti Global Clears FIA Approval To Create A Formula 1 Team". Forbes. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  5. ^ "Andretti should buy existing F1 team to join grid - FIA boss". ESPN. May 28, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  6. ^ Smith, Luke. "General Motors enters the grid: Why F1 changed its tune after rejecting Andretti". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Suttill, Josh (November 25, 2024). "GM, Cadillac agree deal for new 2026 F1 entry - Andretti absent". The Race. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  8. ^ "Andretti hires former F1 tech chief Symonds". ESPN. May 21, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c Brown, Nathan. "Andretti Global parent company unveils longtime NASCAR executives as new leaders". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Statement on General Motors application to join FIA Formula One World Championship in 2026". Formula 1. November 25, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  11. ^ Foster, Michelle (November 26, 2024). "Revealed: The eye-watering anti-dilution fee GM will pay to enter F1 2026". PlanetF1. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  12. ^ Gale, Ewan (December 5, 2024). "GM announces Lowdon as Cadillac F1 team principal". Autosport. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  13. ^ Noble, Jonathan (November 25, 2024). "Andretti lands former Renault F1 engine tech chief Rob White". motorsport.com. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  14. ^ "Ferrari enters a multi-year agreement with Andretti Formula Racing". Ferrari. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  15. ^ Lawrence, Dan (October 24, 2024). "Cadillac circling Renault F1 engine IP – report". Motorsport Week. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
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