The Cadillac F1 team has officially announced a multi-year agreement with Ferrari to be their power unit and gearbox supplier ahead of 2026 F1 debut.
This partnership is significant not only for Cadillac, a division of General Motors (GM), but also for the broader context of American involvement in Formula 1 which has seen a resurgence in recent years.
The deal, which is contingent upon the approval of Cadillac F1 team’s entry for the 2026 F1 season, will see Ferrari providing power units and gearboxes for its first two years in F1, until the American brand can develop its own engine by 2028.
The announcement comes on the heels of General Motors’ (GM) agreement in principle with Formula 1 to launch a revised Andretti team under the Cadillac banner.
This strategic collaboration not only secures a reliable engine supplier for Cadillac F1 team but also reinforces Ferrari’s status as a leading engine provider in the sport, maintaining its relationship with two customer teams—Cadillac and Haas—after losing Sauber, which is set to become Audi’s factory team.
The Scuderia confirmed the news with a statement released on its official website: “Ferrari N.V. (NYSE/EXM: RACE) (“Ferrari” or the “Company”) today announces a multi-year agreement starting from 2026 with Andretti Formula Racing LLC, regarding being the power unit and gearbox supplier to the racing team led by TWG Global and General Motors, subject to Andretti Formula Racing LLC receiving written confirmation from the FIA – F1 that its entry to the 2026 FIA Formula One Championship has been accepted and approved.“
The decision to partner with Ferrari comes after Cadillac initially explored options with Renault but ultimately shifted gears following Renault’s announcement that it would cease its F1 engine program after the 2025 season.
Legendary former F1 driver Mario Andretti who will serve in a non-executive role with Cadillac F1 team confirmed that Ferrari was always viewed as the preferred partner for their engine supply needs.
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur welcomed the new partnership: “It’s great to see the commitment of another American team, backed by one of the most highly respected marques in the motor industry, at a time when Formula 1 is increasing in popularity in the United States.
“We are delighted therefore that we will be the team’s power unit and gearbox supplier as the basis of this technical collaboration.
“It means we will continue to have two “customer teams” in the championship with all the benefits this brings in terms of technical development within Ferrari.”
Cadillac F1 team’s entry into Formula 1 is part of a broader strategy by GM to boost its presence in motorsport and leverage its engineering capabilities on a global stage.
The company has been actively hiring key personnel from various motorsport disciplines to build a robust team capable of competing at the highest levels of racing.
Graeme Lowdon was recently appointed as Cadillac F1 team principal, bringing extensive experience from his time in various racing series, including F1 and IndyCar. His leadership is expected to be instrumental in guiding Cadillac through its formative years in Formula 1.
On the new deal Lowdon added: “We are thrilled to partner with Ferrari as the power unit and gearbox supplier for our Cadillac team, bringing together two remarkable legacies.
“Choosing the right power unit partner is crucial, and we trust in Ferrari’s passion, excellence and the exceptional capabilities of their people.”
As Cadillac F1 team prepares for its debut season in F1, it faces an evolving regulatory landscape with new engine regulations set to take effect in 2026. These changes are designed to promote sustainability within the sport while maintaining competitive parity among teams.
While the timeline set for GM’s own power unit is ambitious; aligning itself with Ferrari during this transitional period, Cadillac positions itself strategically to navigate these changes effectively.
This approach allows Cadillac to focus on building its team and infrastructure without being burdened by immediate engine development challenges.
