• General Motors' Cadillac has received formal approval to enter Formula 1 in 2026.
• The decision was confirmed by Formula One and the FIA after months of evaluations.
• This will mark the expansion of Formula 1 to 11 teams, a transformative moment for the sport.
• Cadillac will initially use Ferrari engines until it manufactures its own.
• Graeme Lowdon has been appointed as team principal, overseeing operations from a new base in Silverstone.

A General Motors-backed Cadillac will officially join the ranks of Formula One as its 11th team starting in 2026, having secured formal approval from the sport's governing bodies—the FIA and Formula One Management. This significant decision, made public on March 7, 2025, follows a previous rejected entry proposal by a team linked to Andretti, which had garnered FIA approval but was ultimately dismissed by Formula One.

In a joint statement, Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali expressed gratitude towards General Motors and TWG Motorsports for their collaborative effort over recent months, highlighting that, "the commitment by General Motors to bring a Cadillac team to Formula One was an important and positive demonstration of the evolution of our sport," according to Channel News Asia.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem classified this expansion as a "transformative moment" for the championship, stating that GM's investment aligns perfectly with the new 2026 regulations that will introduce significant changes to chassis design and performance parameters. He remarked, "GM/Cadillac brings fresh energy, aligning with the new FIA 2026 regulations and ushering in an exciting era for the sport," after the approval process had concluded.

The entry of Cadillac signifies a strategic move as the industry shifts towards more sustainable practices. The new regulations require an increase in the hybrid component of the engines to nearly 50% and the exclusive use of sustainable fuels, encouraging competition and innovation among teams. Cadillac plans to utilize Ferrari engines initially while they develop their own, signaling their long-term commitment to the sport. BBC reports that Graeme Lowdon will lead the team, with operations based in Silverstone, UK, further solidifying their presence in the racing community.

This announcement is greeted with enthusiasm, as Lowdon conveyed, "We can’t wait to go racing and give fans a new team to cheer for." The journey to entry has involved rigorous evaluations, all of which Cadillac has navigated while finalizing their plans for a full-fledged works team.

The addition of the Cadillac team in 2026 not only enhances the competitive landscape of Formula One but also reflects the ongoing evolution of technology and sustainability within motorsport, ensuring that fans have more thrilling races to look forward to as the series grows.

For more details, visit Reuters.