Cadillac F1 is gearing up for a 2026 debut, striving to achieve victory with an ambitious all-American approach.
Cadillac F1 aims for “the best” fairly quickly, according to consultant Mario Andretti.
The team, set to join in 2026 based on the structure established by his son, Michael, will likely use a Ferrari engine initially before developing its own power unit, funded by parent company General Motors, with an expected debut in 2028.
For Mario Andretti, simply showing up is not an option, even from the first year.
“We have recruited and continue to recruit highly experienced F1 personnel. They will have excellent tools, and studies are already well underway, even though the 2026 regulations are not yet fully detailed,” says Mario.
“The key point is that the United States is represented by a major manufacturer, and we must not disappoint. We need to perform well right from our first season. It’s both a pressure and a historic moment.”
“GM and Cadillac are new names in F1 but are two of the biggest brands in the automotive world.”
“From the start, the mindset must be to aim for the maximum—world titles. There’s no other way to look at it.”
“If you’re content with merely being present in F1, you have no chance of exceeding expectations.”
The dream remains to have a 100% American driver lineup. Andretti has already mentioned Colton Herta, but other drivers are likely to approach the team quickly to secure a seat.
“The drivers said it all in Las Vegas—they’re happy about two more seats becoming available. There are more drivers than teams at the moment. Ten teams might seem like a lot, but there are far more drivers, far more talent waiting.”
“From our perspective, I think the initial approach would be to have an experienced driver—the nationality doesn’t matter—alongside a young American talent. Those are the current objectives.”
“It’s a long-term plan. The goals are to establish an American presence, undoubtedly with a fully American team, including both an American engine and an American driver.”
“There’s a lot of work to do. It’s at least a 10-year commitment for now.”
Dr. Marko Reacts to Cadillac’s Entry
Red Bull consultant Dr. Helmut Marko was the first to respond to Monday night’s announcement of Cadillac’s entry into Formula 1. More reactions are expected tomorrow from the paddock in Qatar.
For the Austrian, the news is positive, though he hoped for more from the anti-dilution fund. Cadillac will have to pay the hefty sum of $450 million, distributed among the 10 teams. However, he believes it’s still insufficient.
“The payment made by Cadillac is far from enough to compensate for the money we’ve invested over more than ten years.”
“Even if the existing teams don’t benefit greatly at first, a name like Cadillac, backed by General Motors, is certainly an asset.”
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American Dream: Cadillac’s F1 Entry Targets Glory
American Dream: Cadillac’s F1 Entry Targets Glory
