Formula 1 has finally approved Cadillac’s 2026 bid after a back-and-forth with Andretti

Work has reportedly been underway for several weeks, but will continue until the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Formula 1 announced on Monday that the Cadillac F1 team is set to become the 11th entry for the 2026 season. The statement it says an agreement has been “reached in principle”, with F1 – and by extension Liberty Media – acknowledging that General Motors and its partners have reached several operational milestones that confirm their commitment.

Not surprisingly, the statement does not mention Andretti’s name nor Andretti Global — not once. It does, however, mention TWG Partners, which is led by Dan Tauris and Mark Walter. Tauris is the new head of Andretti Global and CEO of Gainbridge and Group 1001, while Walters is CEO of Guggenheim Partners and owner of the World Series-winning Los Angeles Dodgers as well as Premier League club Chelsea. Together, they will fight alongside General Motors.

“We are delighted to be working with General Motors in providing a dynamic presence in Formula 1,” Tauris said via AP. “Together, we are assembling a world-class team that will embody American innovation and deliver unforgettable moments to racing fans around the world.”

Despite the refusal and became BS they had to endure, Andretti Global got to work building a state-of-the-art Formula 1 facility near Silverstone, where they were busy preparing for the day. The whole operation will now have to be renamed Cadillac F1, although I take solace in the fact that Andretti’s bones will remain the foundation of whatever eventually happens. AP reports that Mario Andretti will serve as an ambassador for Cadillac F1, but not Michael.

It’s a big step forward for Cadillac, which has been working overtime to increase its presence in world-class racing. I personally witnessed both Cadillac entries at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and can attest to that the dedication to racing and the thirst for victory are real. This is far from a marketing gimmick.

“Formula 1, as the pinnacle of motorsports, demands innovation and excellence,” GM president Mark Reuss said in a release. “General Motors and Cadillac are honored to join the world’s premier racing series, and we are committed to competing with passion and integrity to enhance the sport for racing fans around the world. This is a global stage for us to showcase GM’s engineering expertise and technology leadership at a whole new level.”

There are still many unanswered questions on many levels, some very important. Who will supply the Cadillac F1 engines, given that GM’s own won’t be ready until 2027 or 2028 at the earliest? Which American drivers will they choose? Who will be the team leader? With the 2026 car only 15-16 months away, there really isn’t much time to figure things out.

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