Twelve months have changed the course of Cadillac’s F1 project. Now, another twelve months separate the American brand from its debut in the open-wheel premier series. After the initial agreement reached last November with FOM and Ferrari for the Power Unit supply, on Friday, the FIA and Liberty Media officially confirmed Cadillac’s entry in 2026.
But how is the GM-owned brand preparing for the big leap into Formula 1? To get a clearer picture, we must go back two years, when the FIA announced the opening of the expression of interest process for entering the category, in which Andretti also participated—the first incarnation of the Cadillac project.
Hoping that the collaboration with GM would be a key factor in convincing both the governing body and Formula 1, Andretti had simultaneously begun setting up the first structures for a potential entry in 2025 or 2026.
Work Started Two Years Ago
To lead the technical group at the Silverstone facility, Andretti launched a recruitment campaign in 2023, hiring former Renault technical chief Nick Chester. The team’s organization was essentially divided between two locations: a research and development center at GM’s headquarters in Charlotte, USA, and the European hub in England.
Despite lacking formal approval from Formula 1, behind the scenes, the American team’s technical group was already working on an initial model in Toyota’s Cologne wind tunnel. The goal of those tests was not so much to seek performance but rather to better understand the tools at their disposal.
It also provided an opportunity for new hires, many of whom came from various universities, to train by working closely with experienced engineers. Since, at the time, it was difficult to attract established technical personnel from other teams without F1 approval, Andretti had already begun scouting young talent.
Cadillac Continued Hiring Behind the Scenes
After F1’s initial rejection in early 2024, Michael Andretti’s exit from Andretti Group, Greg Maffei’s non-renewal with Liberty Media, and GM’s increased financial involvement, the situation unlocked. Cadillac managed to turn F1’s initial “no” in January 2024 into a “yes,” which was then officially announced last November with a preliminary agreement.
While General Motors’ greater commitment was a central factor in Liberty Media’s change of stance, the core personnel structure remains the one Andretti had been building. Furthermore, one of the partners in this operation is Dan Towriss’s TWG Group, which also manages Andretti’s activities in other series, including Formula E and IndyCar, where it had been a minority shareholder before taking over operations.
In the twelve months between the initial rejection and Cadillac’s approval, the team continued working. In May 2024, another key figure joined: Pat Symonds, who had been involved with the FIA in drafting the 2022 regulations and the first version of the 2026 rules.
Another reinforcement arrived in November when the team hired Rob White, former Renault engine technical chief, as the new operations director. White’s long experience and knowledge of F1 operations made him an essential figure in establishing a solid foundation for the team’s growth.
Behind the scenes, Cadillac has continued hiring, with the team’s workforce expanding daily. Now, with official F1 approval and a base in England—Europe’s operational hub for most teams—it will be easier to recruit engineers, even from rival teams.
“This number changes daily. In England, there are about 380 people, while here in the United States, we have another four hundred. I don’t know the exact number, but we are well-staffed,” Mario Andretti said in an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com.
To put things in perspective, reaching 380 employees means Cadillac already matches Haas in workforce size before even debuting on track. Undoubtedly, the ambitions of the two brands are different, but it represents a starting point. And since this is still just a beginning with a limited staff, the team has chosen to rely on Ferrari for multiple components.
The Agreement with Ferrari and the Start of Development
Cadillac has signed a supply agreement with the Maranello-based team. Although the official announcement only mentioned the supply of the Power Unit and gearbox for two years—until GM introduces its own engine in 2028—the deal actually extends to the rear suspension, as reported by Motorsport.com.
Mario Andretti confirmed this, explaining that the supply agreement includes the full package. Cadillac could have designed its own rear suspension while still purchasing the gearbox from Ferrari, as Sauber has done recently. However, choosing Ferrari’s solutions allows the team to focus on other challenges that require greater attention in its first year in Formula 1.
Meanwhile, Cadillac is already working on the regulatory framework for next year, but that doesn’t mean it is free from F1-imposed limitations. For instance, under the cost cap regulations, Cadillac must adhere to the same financial rules as other teams, though some exceptions apply.
Additionally, Cadillac will have specific restrictions on aerodynamic testing to prevent an unfair advantage. However, as a new team, it will be granted more wind tunnel and CFD time than its rivals, receiving 115% of the standard baseline at the start of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
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