General Motors Co. in Detroit has formally registered with the FIA as a Formula 1 power unit manufacturer starting in the 2028 season, paving the way for Michael Andretti’s team to gain acceptance onto the F1 grid.
The FIA approved Andretti Cadillac’s bid to join the Formula 1 grid in October, leaving brokering an agreement with F1’s commercial rights holder the only stumbling block, one yet to be overcome.
F1’s reluctance to accept Andretti’s bid was based on its lack of being fully supported by an engine manufacturer. Andretti’s bid initially featured support from GMs’ Cadillac brand but no formal plans for an engine deal.
GM’s announcement, on the eve of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, would appear to help the U.S.-based racing team, led by the son of racing legend Mario Andretti, clear that hurdle.
GM’s development and testing of prototype technology already is underway, according to the automaker. Engineering a F1 power unit will advance GM’s expertise in areas including electrification, hybrid technology, sustainable fuels, high efficiency internal combustion engines, advanced controls, and software systems, the company says.
“We are thrilled that our new Andretti Cadillac F1 entry will be powered by a GM power unit,” says Mark Reuss, president of GM. “With our deep engineering and racing expertise, we’re confident we’ll develop a successful power unit for the series, and position Andretti Cadillac as a true works team. We will run with the very best, at the highest levels, with passion and integrity that will help elevate the sport for race fans around the world.”
For more than a century, racing has provided a testbed for GM and Cadillac to transfer knowledge and technology between race cars and production vehicles. Cadillac’s V-Series performance portfolio, celebrating its 20th anniversary, seamlessly incorporates learnings from the track to the road.
With a long history of racing success, Cadillac most recently developed the 5.5L DOHC V-8 powertrain used in the 2023 IMSA and WEC seasons. With this powertrain, Cadillac Racing secured a podium finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and swept top championship honors for the inaugural IMSA Grand Touring Prototype season.
