Formula 1 is expecting a burst of American energy in the 2026 season, with Cadillac confirmed as the new 11th team of the grid. The FIA, which sets the racing regulations for F1, and Formula One Management, allowed an 11th team to join Formula 1 for the first time in the sport’s modern history. Cadillac’s Formula 1 debut will be monumental for the American carmaker and Formula 1, as it also marks the first time 22 drivers will compete for the World Drivers’ Championship in 30 years.
In order to enter the sport, Cadillac partnered with TWG Motorsports and General Motors. Cadillac will not only gain brand recognition from Formula 1, but it will also project American motorsport onto an international platform. Starting in 2022, Formula 1 incorporated two more American races into the racing schedule to expand their American audience, with one race in Miami and the other in Las Vegas. However, Formula 1 has already been racing in the United States for over a decade at the United States Grand Prix in Texas. Cadillac’s entrance into the sport allows them to expand their international market because Formula 1 has a massive global audience. If Cadillac has initial success in Formula 1, they could pave the way for other American brands to enter the sport.
With the addition of a new Formula 1 team, there has been speculation as to who the two drivers will be to fill the seats at Cadillac. There are a number of drivers that are capable of driving in one of those seats. Cadillac could fill the seats with two rookie drivers, or they could choose more experienced drivers like Daniel Ricciardo and Sergio Perez. No matter who Cadillac picks as drivers, the team is sure to create pandemonium in the driver market.
For the 2026 season, there will be a new set of technical regulations that each team must abide by. Specifically, all Formula 1 cars are required to be 50% electric and run on sustainable fuel. With each new set of regulations, there is uncertainty as to which team will outdo the others, as it will be a challenge for each team to meet these standards. In their inaugural season, Cadillac could exceed expectations and become a contender for the Constructors’ Championship if they begin working on their 2026 car as the rest of the grid focuses on 2025.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem deemed Cadillac’s entrance into the sport as a “transformative moment” for Formula 1 and a “milestone” for both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Formula 1 Championships.
