Cadillac's Bold Drive into Formula 1

   

      Cadillac's Bold Drive into Formula 1                        A Historic Entry In a landmark move, Cadillac—backed by General Motors (GM) and partnered with TWG Motorsports—has secured its position as Formula 1’s 11th constructor, set to debut in the 2026 season, the first new team since Haas joined in 2016. BILD Wikipedia YouTube The initiative began under the Andretti banner but gained traction after Andretti Global’s bid met opposition. Dan Towriss and TWG Motorsports took the helm, successfully steering Cadillac’s fresh application to approval. Motorsport Paul Tan's Automotive News Sky Sports BILD Powertrain and Technical Blueprint Initially, the team will field customer engines and gearboxes from Ferrari, potentially expanding to include suspension components—mirroring the technical arrangement seen with Haas. Motorsport Wikipedia Paul Tan's Automotive News Meanwhile, GM is establishing its engine manufacturing program, GM Performance Power Units LLC, aiming to produce Cadillac’s own F1 power units by the late 2020s. A dedicated factory is slated to open in North Carolina by early 2027. Wikipedia Leadership & Staffing Team Principal: Graeme Lowdon, former Manor boss, is at the helm. Sportskeeda Wikipedia Race Team Manager: Peter Crolla, who brings experience from Haas, joined in April 2025. Wikipedia Head of Aerodynamics: Jon Tomlinson, with a storied history across Jordan, Renault, and Williams, now leads aero development at Cadillac. Wikipedia TWG Motorsports, launched in early 2025 under Dan Towriss and Jill Gregory, oversees Cadillac’s operations alongside other racing programs like Andretti Global and IndyCar teams. Wikipedia Race Readiness and Infrastructure Challenges Dan Towriss has acknowledged the tight timeline to be track-ready for pre-season testing in late January 2026. Without existing F1 testing data and relying initially on wind-tunnel models, the team faces significant developmental challenges. The Race Their U.S. manufacturing base in Fishers, Indiana—a $200 million facility—is promised to be operational in early 2026, with more capabilities moving in-house thereafter. The Race Top AI Tools List - OpenTools The SportsRush F1’s cost cap regulations further complicate collaboration across TWG’s programs, limiting data-sharing between Cadillac and related Andretti teams in Formula E or IndyCar. RacingNews365 PlanetF1 How They’re Building the Team Infrastructure in Place Fishers, Indiana HQ for manufacturing and design. Silverstone hub for F1 engineering, aided by experienced UK-based personnel. Top AI Tools List - OpenTools Project Reylo Technical Dependencies Ferrari-supplied power units and gearboxes initially. Long-term goal: Cadillac’s own engines and continued technological independence. Wikipedia Paul Tan's Automotive News Seasoned Leadership Expertise across design, aerodynamics, operations, and engine development lends the team credibility despite being a newcomer. Manufacturing and Recruitment Gradual hiring of F1 veterans, navigating gardening leaves to onboard talent. Focused ramp-up of engineering staff both in the U.S. and U.K. The Race Regulatory Safeguards Navigating cost cap limitations while maintaining internal synergy across global racing programs. RacingNews365 PlanetF1 Cadillac’s Competitive Edge: Drivers Just today, Cadillac confirmed its driver lineup for the 2026 debut season: Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas—both seasoned Grand Prix veterans. The Times SB Nation Reuters The Times of India With a combined record spanning hundreds of races and multiple wins, their experience brings stability and leadership essential for building a competitive debut season. The announcement also features a documentary hosted by Keanu Reeves, chronicling the team's journey. The Sun SB Nation TalkSport Summary Table Category Details Debut Season 2026 as F1’s 11th team Power Units Ferrari initially; GM-built engines by ~2029 Leadership Graeme Lowdon (Team Principal); Peter Crolla (Race Team Manager); Jon Tomlinson (Head of Aero) Infrastructure U.S. base in Indiana; technical base in Silverstone Main Challenges Tight preparation timeline, cost cap limitations, convergence of U.S./U.K. operations Drivers Sergio Pérez & Valtteri Bottas Cadillac’s entry is more than a new team—it’s a strategic expansion blending American ambition with F1’s technical legacy. With seasoned leadership, dual-continent infrastructure, and an eye on long-term self-sufficiency, this is poised to be one of Formula 1’s most watched stories in 2026 and beyond.