Cadillac plans F1 entry with Andretti

Fancy seeing Cadillac in Formula One? Good news.

General Motors and fellow Stateside icon Andretti Global have announced an intention to race in F1, citing recent growth in popularity of the series in the US as a motivating factor.

If its bid to enter is ticked off by the FIA, the Andretti Cadillac team would be based in the US with a “support facility” in the UK – where several teams are hubbed.

“This reunites two iconic American companies with deep motorsports pedigrees and provides the opportunity to build on previous racing accomplishments while expanding international reach for both brands,” a statement from the two organisations said.

“F1 has seen consistent growth globally and most recently in the US with 2023 races in Austin, Miami and Las Vegas.”

The Andretti Cadillac team says it will submit an Expression of Interest when the FIA opens its formal process. The team is seeking to compete “as soon as practical” with at least one American driver in a hot seat.

Since 2017, Cadillac has successfully competed in various American sports car racing series with the DPi-V.R. It also has the hybrid V-LMDh for events such as the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Andretti racing teams currently compete in seven different top-tier series worldwide, and the company has previously worked with Cadillac’s fellow GM brand Chevrolet in Indy Car.

“General Motors is honoured to team with Andretti Global on this historic moment in racing,” said president Mark Reuss.

“We have a long, rich history in motorsports and engineering innovation, and we are thrilled with the prospect of pairing with Andretti Global to form an American F1 team that will help spur even more global interest in the series and the sport.

“Cadillac and F1 both have growing global appeal. Our brand has a motorsports pedigree that’s more than a century in the making, and we would be proud to have the opportunity to bring our distinct American innovation and design to F1.”

Cadillac is finding its mojo again, with its flagship road cars once again designed to be at the very cutting edge as they were in bygone eras.

It is making a bold statement with its new electric Celestiq flagship, with Bentley-level pricing and a dedicated production line.

Formula One is growing at pace thanks in part to the popular Netflix series Drive to Survive, and is moving towards a focus on electrification and sustainable fuels from mid-decade, thereby luring more carmakers that wish to use it as a test bed.

Cadillac’s German rival Audi said a major factor in its decision to enter Formula 1 from 2026 – announced in August last year – was the series’ growing focus on these areas.

MORE: Audi’s Formula 1 entry green-lit, with the emphasis on ‘green’