In a landmark moment for American motorsport ambitions, General Motors has officially been granted approval to enter Formula 1 as an engine supplier from the 2029 season, marking a significant shift in the sport’s global manufacturer landscape.
The announcement, made jointly by the FIA and GM, provides the first confirmed timeline for the debut of GM’s in-house F1 engine. This development cements the US automotive giant’s long-term commitment to Formula 1, aligning with the championship’s broader push to attract heavyweight automotive brands.
Racing under the Cadillac banner, GM’s luxury marque will first join the F1 grid in 2026 as a constructor, but will rely on Ferrari-supplied power units while its own is in development. The transition from a customer team to a fully fledged works outfit by the end of the decade represents one of the most ambitious undertakings by any new entrant in recent F1 history.
GM’s pathway into the sport has not been without obstacles. Its initial bid, in partnership with Andretti Global, was approved by the FIA but faced resistance from Formula 1’s commercial rights holders, who cited concerns about competitiveness and commercial value. However, the project gained renewed traction when restructured as a dedicated Cadillac entry, giving the team its own identity and leadership under GM’s stewardship.
To support its power unit ambitions, GM has launched a bespoke engineering division – GM Performance Power Units LLC – tasked with designing and developing the cutting-edge hybrid engine that will comply with F1’s future regulations. The 2029 engine will conform to the revised ruleset being introduced in 2026, which retains the 1.6-litre turbo-hybrid architecture but significantly increases the share of power delivered via electric components, rising from 20% to around 50%.
While these regulations will stay in place until the end of 2030, discussions are already underway to reassess F1’s engine strategy beyond that point. Recent talks between teams and the FIA explored more affordable and simplified engine concepts, such as a possible return to V8 or even V10 power units, though there was no immediate consensus.
Nonetheless, the current manufacturer cohort remains committed to hybrid technology, reinforcing F1’s positioning as a forward-thinking, sustainability-driven championship. GM’s entry underlines this ethos while also setting the stage for a potential reshaping of the competitive order, especially if Cadillac’s arrival inspires other global marques to follow suit.
With development already in motion and a clear timeline to 2029, GM’s presence is poised to energise the grid – not just with fresh power units, but with a distinctly American approach to racing innovation and ambition.
