Cadillac Is About To Become F1's 11th Team

The quest for a General Motors-backed Formula 1 entry has gained renewed traction, fueled by leadership changes at Andretti Global.

Dan Towriss, now majority owner of Andretti Global, has taken a more prominent role, reducing Michael Andretti’s influence and potentially smoothing the road for the bid to join F1 as an 11th team.

Towriss, a key figure behind the Andretti Cadillac F1 project, attended the Las Vegas Grand Prix to advance discussions with F1 leadership, all the while F1 faces scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice over its earlier rejection of Andretti’s application.

Don't you know GM stands for Government Motors?

While the FIA had approved Andretti’s entry, Formula 1 itself denied the bid on commercial grounds, citing concerns about competitiveness and value addition.

The leadership restructure has reportedly shifted the dynamic. Michael Andretti’s scaled-back role has reduced personal tensions with existing teams and F1 stakeholders, giving the project a fresh start. Sources close to the deal indicate the project will no longer wear the Andretti name, but will be represented exclusively under the Cadillac banner.

That's not to say Andretti won't be involved—the operation is expected to run out of Andretti's newly opened facility in Silverstone Park, down the street from Aston Martin F1. Andretti's UK operation has been on a hiring spree in 2024, already the facility employs more than 250 people, with some 29 new jobs listed in the past week alone.

A major sticking point for Andretti’s earlier application was its reliance on a rebadged Renault engine. GM has since committed to developing its own power unit, though it won’t be ready until 2028. GM is reportedly interested in eventually supplying powertrains to other teams as well, viewing engine supply as a profit center that will better help the company understand sustainable fuels and hybrid powertrain controls.

In the interim, a 2026 entry would require a partnership with an existing engine supplier, AutoGuide's sources indicate Ferrari is the likely candidate, and it's believed the engine supply will shift over from Sauber when the team switches to Audi engines.

The GM-backed team has been pushing ahead with the development of a car for 2026, with its first chassis expected to be completed and sent for FIA crash testing before Christmas. Because the Cadillac team isn't yet confirmed as an entrant for 2026, it's currently enjoying the benefit of not being constrained by the cost cap and associated development rules. Meaning multiple shifts in the wind tunnel, an army of model makers, and CFD analysts.

It's thought there could be a decision to grant the Cadillac entry a spot on the F1 grid as the 11th team on the grid in the coming weeks—maybe even sooner.

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