General Motors formally approved as F1’s 11th team with Cadillac in 2026

The FIA and System 1 have formally permitted the entry of Basic Motors and its Cadillac model into the championship for the 2026 season and past.

The transfer supersedes a deal in principle that was reached between F1 and General Motors last November and now ratifies Cadillac’s slot on the grid as an eleventh workforce.

It’ll imply that the Silverstone-based operation has the complete help of GM, initially joining as a Ferrari customer outfit before producing its own power units from 2028.

The American producer had been engaged on an settlement with Andretti World to kind an F1 workforce, but the initial application was rejected as Formula One Management did not believe the team’s proposal would add value to the series.

That embarrassing snub had given rise to elevated tensions between Michael Andretti and F1 over Andretti’s aggressive campaigning to overturn the choice, together with a long-running standoff involving US Congress and the Division of Justice.

Nonetheless, a revised bid led by Dan Towriss’s TWG Group after Andretti stepped down has now been given the inexperienced mild.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali mentioned: “As we mentioned in November, the dedication by Basic Motors to deliver a Cadillac workforce to System 1 was an vital and optimistic demonstration of the evolution of our sport.

“I wish to thank GM and TWG for his or her constructive engagement over many months and look ahead to welcoming the workforce on the grid from 2026 for what will likely be one other thrilling 12 months for System 1.”

The UK-based operation has been slowly rising regardless of the pending affirmation, and can begin F1 after the most important set of regulation adjustments within the championship’s historical past.

A very new energy unit and chassis ruleset is available in for 2026 and the Cadillac F1 Group now has solely 12 months to organize for its debut season.

The undertaking has been led by former Marussia workforce boss Graeme Lowdon, who has recruited senior designers together with F1 stalwart Pat Symonds and former Renault engine chief Rob White.

IndyCar star Colton Herta has emerged as a possible driver for the Cadillac entry. The 24-year-old American has beforehand examined a McLaren F1 automotive at Portimao in 2022 and has beforehand raced in Europe.

He just lately cooled speak of linking him to the Cadillac F1 seat saying: “I would be leaving a terrific group of individuals I actually like working with, so it isn’t a positive factor for me.

“It is not a simple resolution, simply to be like, ‘all proper, see you guys later’. I would be giving up a possibility of possibly by no means working with these folks once more.”