TWG Motorsports and GM Receive Formal Approval for Cadillac Formula 1™ Team
Cadillac Formula 1 Team, backed by TWG Motorsports and General Motors (GM), has received final approval to join the F1 grid in 2026 as the 11th team. The partnership creates a distinctly American team combining TWG Motorsports' resources and GM's engineering expertise.
The team has appointed Graeme Lowdon as Team Principal and Russ O'Blenes as CEO of TWG GM Performance Power Units. Since January 2023, TWG Motorsports has built a team of over 300 people focusing on aerodynamics, chassis development, and simulation. Operations are established across multiple locations including Indianapolis, Charlotte, Warren, and Silverstone.
The team is actively developing their V6 power unit and has operational wind-tunnel models with parts production and performance testing underway, preparing for their 2026 debut.
Il Team Cadillac di Formula 1, sostenuto da TWG Motorsports e General Motors (GM), ha ricevuto l'approvazione finale per unirsi alla griglia di F1 nel 2026 come undicesimo team. La partnership crea un team distintamente americano che combina le risorse di TWG Motorsports con l'esperienza ingegneristica di GM.
Il team ha nominato Graeme Lowdon come Team Principal e Russ O'Blenes come CEO di TWG GM Performance Power Units. Dal gennaio 2023, TWG Motorsports ha costruito un team di oltre 300 persone concentrato su aerodinamica, sviluppo del telaio e simulazione. Le operazioni sono stabilite in più sedi, tra cui Indianapolis, Charlotte, Warren e Silverstone.
Il team sta attivamente sviluppando il proprio motore V6 e ha modelli operativi in galleria del vento con produzione di parti e test delle prestazioni in corso, preparando il debutto per il 2026.
El equipo Cadillac de Fórmula 1, respaldado por TWG Motorsports y General Motors (GM), ha recibido la aprobación final para unirse a la parrilla de F1 en 2026 como el undécimo equipo. La asociación crea un equipo distintivamente americano que combina los recursos de TWG Motorsports con la experiencia en ingeniería de GM.
El equipo ha nombrado a Graeme Lowdon como director del equipo y a Russ O'Blenes como CEO de TWG GM Performance Power Units. Desde enero de 2023, TWG Motorsports ha formado un equipo de más de 300 personas centradas en aerodinámica, desarrollo de chasis y simulación. Las operaciones están establecidas en múltiples ubicaciones, incluidas Indianápolis, Charlotte, Warren y Silverstone.
El equipo está desarrollando activamente su unidad de potencia V6 y tiene modelos operativos en túneles de viento con producción de piezas y pruebas de rendimiento en marcha, preparándose para su debut en 2026.
캐딜락 포뮬러 1 팀은 TWG 모터스포츠와 제너럴 모터스(GM)의 지원을 받아 2026년 F1 그리드에 11번째 팀으로 합류하기 위한 최종 승인을 받았습니다. 이 파트너십은 TWG 모터스포츠의 자원과 GM의 엔지니어링 전문성을 결합한 독특한 미국 팀을 만듭니다.
팀은 그레임 로우던을 팀장으로, 러스 오블레인스를 TWG GM 성능 파워 유닛의 CEO로 임명했습니다. 2023년 1월부터 TWG 모터스포츠는 공기역학, 섀시 개발 및 시뮬레이션에 집중하는 300명 이상의 팀을 구성했습니다. 인디애나폴리스, 샬럿, 워렌, 실버스톤 등 여러 장소에서 운영되고 있습니다.
팀은 V6 파워 유닛을 적극적으로 개발하고 있으며, 부품 생산 및 성능 테스트가 진행 중인 운영 풍동 모델을 보유하고 있으며, 2026년 데뷔를 준비하고 있습니다.
L'équipe Cadillac de Formule 1, soutenue par TWG Motorsports et General Motors (GM), a reçu l'approbation finale pour rejoindre la grille de F1 en 2026 en tant que onzième équipe. Ce partenariat crée une équipe distinctement américaine qui combine les ressources de TWG Motorsports avec l'expertise technique de GM.
L'équipe a nommé Graeme Lowdon comme directeur d'équipe et Russ O'Blenes comme PDG de TWG GM Performance Power Units. Depuis janvier 2023, TWG Motorsports a constitué une équipe de plus de 300 personnes axées sur l'aérodynamique, le développement de châssis et la simulation. Les opérations sont établies à plusieurs endroits, notamment Indianapolis, Charlotte, Warren et Silverstone.
L'équipe développe activement son unité de puissance V6 et dispose de modèles opérationnels en soufflerie, avec la production de pièces et les tests de performance en cours, se préparant pour son lancement en 2026.
Das Cadillac Formel 1 Team, unterstützt von TWG Motorsports und General Motors (GM), hat die endgültige Genehmigung erhalten, 2026 als elftetes Team in das F1-Feld einzutreten. Die Partnerschaft schafft ein deutlich amerikanisches Team, das die Ressourcen von TWG Motorsports mit der Ingenieurexpertise von GM kombiniert.
Das Team hat Graeme Lowdon als Teamchef und Russ O'Blenes als CEO von TWG GM Performance Power Units ernannt. Seit Januar 2023 hat TWG Motorsports ein Team von über 300 Personen aufgebaut, das sich auf Aerodynamik, Chassisentwicklung und Simulation konzentriert. Die Operationen sind an mehreren Standorten, darunter Indianapolis, Charlotte, Warren und Silverstone, etabliert.
Das Team entwickelt aktiv seine V6-Antriebseinheit und verfügt über betriebsbereite Windkanalmodelle, während die Teileproduktion und Leistungstests im Gange sind, um sich auf das Debüt im Jahr 2026 vorzubereiten.
- Official FIA and F1 approval secured for 2026 entry
- Strong partnership between TWG Motorsports and GM established
- 300+ experienced staff already assembled
- Multiple operational facilities across US and UK
- Development of proprietary V6 power unit underway
- Nearly 2-year wait before actual racing debut
- Significant ongoing investment required for development
- Competing against well-established F1 teams
Insights
GM's confirmation as Formula 1's 11th team marks a significant strategic expansion into the pinnacle of global motorsport. This move positions Cadillac on an exclusive international platform with only select premium automotive brands. The timing is particularly strategic as entry in 2026 coincides with F1's new technical regulations, potentially reducing the performance gap for newcomers.
The formation of TWG GM Performance Power Units signals exceptional commitment, as developing proprietary F1 power units represents the highest level of investment and technical capability. Few manufacturers globally possess this expertise. With operations across four locations and over 300 staff already assembled, GM is demonstrating substantial resource allocation to this initiative.
For Cadillac, this represents more than racing - it's an engineering laboratory where cutting-edge technologies in materials, aerodynamics, and powertrain efficiency can transfer to production vehicles. The global visibility could particularly benefit Cadillac's international market aspirations, especially in Europe and Asia where F1 enjoys massive viewership.
However, the F1 grid is a brutally competitive environment with established teams possessing decades of accumulated knowledge. New entrants historically face significant performance challenges, and even major manufacturers have withdrawn after years of success despite massive investment.
GM's Formula 1 entry represents a substantial long-term capital allocation with strategic rather than immediate financial returns. Operating competitive F1 teams typically requires annual budgets of $150-250 million even with cost caps in place, with power unit development adding significantly to this investment.
Investors should view this as a strategic technology and brand investment rather than a near-term profit driver. The potential value comes through multiple channels: enhanced global brand visibility for Cadillac, technological transfer to consumer vehicles, and potentially creating a valuable sporting asset over time.
The initiative aligns with GM's broader transformation strategy, providing a platform to showcase engineering excellence during the industry's technological evolution. The partnership structure with TWG Motorsports potentially distributes investment requirements while maintaining strategic benefits.
F1's expanding global audience and growing US fanbase could create meaningful marketing value for Cadillac, though quantifying this precisely remains challenging. Future revenue streams could include sponsorships, merchandise, and prize money, but these typically don't offset costs in early years.
From a resource allocation perspective, this commitment comes amid GM's substantial investments in electrification and autonomous technology. While F1 participation won't materially impact near-term financial performance given GM's scale, it represents a meaningful strategic bet with an uncertain but potentially valuable long-term payoff.
Today, the FIA and Formula 1 announced that the Cadillac Formula 1 Team has met their requirements to join the existing 10 teams starting next year.
"Today marks a transformative moment, and I am proud to lead the Federation in this progressive step for the championship," said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. "The FIA Formula One Championship's expansion to an 11th team in 2026 is a milestone. GM/Cadillac brings fresh energy, aligning with the new FIA 2026 regulations and ushering in an exciting era for the sport.
"The Cadillac Formula 1 Team's presence in the paddock will inspire future competitors and fans. Their entry strengthens our mission to push motorsport's boundaries at the highest level."
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1 said, "As we said in November, the commitment by General Motors to bring a Cadillac team to Formula 1 was an important and positive demonstration of the evolution of our sport. I want to thank GM and TWG Motorsports for their constructive engagement over many months and look forward to welcoming the team on the grid from 2026 for what will be another exciting year for Formula 1."
The partnership between TWG Motorsports and General Motors creates a distinctly American team with unique attributes. TWG Motorsports' resources and commitment to excellence, innovation and deep collaboration across motorsport disciplines combined with GM's performance DNA, engineering excellence and proven success in motorsports provides a strong foundation for the team.
"For the past years, we have worked hand in hand with GM, to lay a robust foundation for an extraordinary F1 entry," said Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports. "Now, with 2026 in our sights after today's final approval from the FIA and Formula 1, we're accelerating our efforts—expanding our facilities, refining cutting-edge technologies and continuing to assemble top-tier talent."
"We're thrilled the Cadillac Formula 1 Team is official, as the team has been accelerating its work," said GM President Mark Reuss. "We're incredibly grateful for the support from the FIA and Formula 1 leadership for us and for our partners at TWG. The excitement only grows as we get closer to showcasing GM's engineering expertise on the prestigious global stage of F1."
This announcement follows confirmation that long-time motorsports and Formula 1 team executive Graeme Lowdon will serve as Team Principal of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team and industry veteran Russ O'Blenes has been named CEO of TWG GM Performance Power Units, a new company that will put Cadillac on the future path to being a full-works team — building Formula 1 chassis and power units.
"I couldn't be more proud of the effort put in by the entire Cadillac Formula 1 Team. This announcement is the next step in getting on the grid and continues our efforts towards building a full-works team. Through the long and thorough application process, we have never lost pace in our planning or our belief in the mission. We can't wait to go racing and give fans a new team to cheer for," Lowdon said.
"Ongoing preparation and development of our power unit continues, and we've been working hard to hire top-tier talent," said O'Blenes. "As we continue to add more experienced engineering personnel, we look forward to running our first V6 in the near future."
Since the bid to join Formula 1 was announced in January 2023, TWG Motorsports has assembled an experienced team of over 300 people working on aerodynamics, chassis and component development, software and vehicle dynamics simulation. Development work to join the grid in 2026 has continued at pace with operational wind-tunnel models, parts production and performance testing strongly underway. The team has operations in
About TWG Motorsports
TWG Motorsports is the motorsports entity of TWG Global, created to unify a robust racing portfolio across the world's biggest stages in Formula 1, INDYCAR, Formula E, IMSA and NASCAR. In addition to the strategic partnerships with General Motors on the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, TWG Motorsports additionally has ownership of Spire Motorsports, Andretti Global and Wayne Taylor Racing. TWG Motorsports combines deep technical expertise, proven competitive excellence and industry-leading marketing acumen. TWG Motorsports is committed to innovating, growing and winning at the highest levels of the sport.
Learn more at:
TWG Global: https://www.twgglobal.com
TWG Motorsports: https://www.twgmotorsports.com
About GM
General Motors (NYSE:GM) is driving the future of transportation, leveraging advanced technology to build safer, smarter, and lower emission cars, trucks, and SUVs. GM's Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands offer a broad portfolio of innovative gasoline-powered vehicles and the industry's widest range of EVs, as we move to an all-electric future. Learn more at GM.com.
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SOURCE Cadillac Formula 1 Team
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