F1 adding Cadillac as second American team for 2026 season

General Motors (GM) will officially make its debut in Formula One (F1) during the 2026 season. The marquee global racing series said Monday, Nov. 25, that it will allow a Cadillac F1 team run by GM to make its debut during 2026 testing.

GM has a long history in car racing. Chevrolets have taken NASCAR legends like Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson to victory lane. Oldsmobile, Chevy and GM’s retired brand, won 21 Indianapolis 500’s.

The announcement wraps up a years-long legal battle for Formula One and its owners Liberty Media. It also adds a second American racing team to F1.

U.S. racing legend Michael Andretti first launched the bid in partnership with GM. But after Liberty rejected his effort, it led to a Justice Department investigation into a potential violation of antitrust laws.

Andretti stepped aside from his company in September. His namesake company, Andretti Global, will operate the team for GM and Cadillac. Andretti’s father, former F1 and IndyCar champion Mario Andretti, will serve as the team board’s director.

GM President Mark Reuss celebrated the agreement.

“It’s an honor for General Motors and Cadillac to join the world’s premier racing series, and we’re committed to competing with passion and integrity to elevate the sport for race fans around the world,” Reuss said.

The approval comes as Formula One has grown its presence in the U.S. in recent years. The announcement came just after the series held its second annual race along the Las Vegas Strip. The U.S. now hosts three annual F1 races, the most of any country.

Cadillac will become the second American F1 team. But the existing American-owned team, run by businessman Gene Haas, has struggled and does not employ any American drivers. Haas runs a successful NASCAR team, Stewart-Haas, with NASCAR Cup champion Tony Stewart.

For the first two seasons, the Cadillac team will rely on engines made by Italian sports car brand Ferrari. However, GM said it plans to have a Cadillac engine ready for the team to use starting in the 2028 season.