Cadillac’s F1 Entry: Clarifying the Current Status of the Project

Cadillac is not currently an independent Formula 1 constructor, and no team named “Cadillac” has competed in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. While General Motors has formally registered with the FIA as a prospective power unit manufacturer for the 2028 season, reports suggesting a current Cadillac team with a car designated “MAC-26” are factually incorrect. The confusion likely stems from misidentified reports regarding the Andretti Global expansion bid.

Why is there confusion regarding a Cadillac F1 team?

The narrative surrounding a “Cadillac F1 team” originates from a partnership between General Motors and the Andretti Global organization. According to the FIA, Andretti Formula Racing LLC was the entity approved by the governing body in October 2023 to potentially join the grid as an 11th team. General Motors confirmed its intent to support this bid through its Cadillac brand. However, the Formula One Management (FOM) rejected the application in January 2024, citing that the team would not bring sufficient value to the championship at this time.

What is the status of the GM/Cadillac power unit program?

Despite the rejection of the Andretti entry, General Motors has continued its development of an in-house Formula 1 engine. As reported by Motorsport.com, the FIA officially registered GM as a power unit supplier for the 2028 season. This means that, starting in 2028, Cadillac intends to provide engines to teams on the grid. This development follows a precedent set by manufacturers like Audi, which also entered the sport by initially partnering with an existing team (Sauber) before transitioning to a full factory operation.

Fact-Checking the “MAC-26” and Recent Performance Claims

Claims regarding a “MAC-26” chassis or recent performance metrics for a Cadillac team are not grounded in reality. There is no such car in the current F1 entry list. The 2024 grid consists of ten established teams: Red Bull Racing, Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, Aston Martin, RB, Haas, Williams, Alpine, and Kick Sauber. Any reports referencing a driver like Sergio Perez driving for a “Cadillac team” are erroneous, as Perez is currently signed to a multi-year contract with Oracle Red Bull Racing.

Key Facts Regarding F1 Expansion

• Current Status: No new teams were added to the 2024 or 2025 F1 grid.
• Regulatory Approval: The FIA approved the Andretti-Cadillac technical bid in 2023, but the commercial rights holder (FOM) blocked the entry.
• GM Timeline: General Motors is currently focused on the 2028 engine regulations, according to official company statements.
• Driver Lineups: All driver movements and performance data are restricted to the ten existing official F1 constructors.

The distinction between a power unit supplier and a full constructor is critical in Formula 1. While Cadillac remains committed to joining the sport through its engine development program, the prospect of a standalone “Cadillac team” remains a subject of ongoing commercial negotiations rather than a current racing reality.