CADILLAC TO F1 – WITH FERRARI POWER

Cadillac finally has the go-ahead from Formula One to enter grand prix racing in 2026.

The tug-of-love over General Motors' entry has swung backwards and forwards, even triggering an anti-trust investigation by the US Department of Justice earlier this year and the resignation of Michael Andretti as CEO of the Andretti Global organisation fronting the bid.

Andretti is now out of the way and official confirmation of the program has come from three directions – GM/Cadillac, Formula One and the FIA.

"Years of hard work. Here we come," said Mark Reuss, president of General Motors and a long-time champion of its Cadillac Racing division through its touring car and sports car programs - including Le Mans.

Reuss was also a staunch supporter of Supercars racing during his time as president of Holden and keeps a personal crash helmet and HANS device in his executive office.

He quoted the words of Louis Chevrolet – "Never Give Up" – as he led celebrations of the F1 deal.

But there is one giant elephant in the pitlane – the engine supplier for the Cadillac entry in 2026.

And it could be Ferrari which jumps in as an unlikely partner.

“That’s not definite yet, but that’s the objective," said Mario Andretti, the former F1 world champion who is the figurehead for the GM/Cadillac initiative, when talking to NBC in the USA.

He said it is “what we’re talking about. And that’s the preference.”

GM has admitted it will not be in a position to provide powerplants for its team until 2028, a similar situation to the one facing Ford as it partners with Red Bull Racing.

Ford Performance will be relying on Red Bull Powertrains for its combustion engine in 2026, although it will still be responsible for the hybrid system and electronics from the start – there are drivetrain engineers already embedded at the factory in the UK – with a badging deal for the engine.

The roots of RBP come from Honda, which has been a long-term F1 partner with Red Bull despite withdrawing its full factory team from grand prix racing at the end of 2008.

Honda is now tipped to take over as engine supplier for Alpine when the Renault division shuts down its powertrain operation in France at the end of this year.

Alpine is believed to be switching to powertrains from Mercedes-AMG from 2026 which leaves a potential opportunity for Cadillac with Ferrari until GM is ready with its own engine in 2028.

But, of course, there is nothing official. Yet.

Instead, the grand prix world has been flooded with celebratory messages, starting with the commercial rights holders for Formula One, Liberty Media.

"With Formula 1's continued growth plans in the US, we have always believed that welcoming an impressive US brand like GM/Cadillac to the grid and GM as a future power unit supplier could bring additional value and interest to the sport," said outgoing Liberty Media CEO and president, Greg Maffei.

Ironically, Maffei is believed to be one of the key figures who was resisting the Andretti entry – culminating in a confrontation with Mario Andretti, a genuine motorsport legend, at the Miami Grand Prix earlier this year.

According to Andretti, who was the F1 world champion with Lotus in 1978, Maffei told him: "Mario, I want to tell you that I will do everything I can to make sure Michael (Andretti) never gets into Formula One."

"It was like a bullet through my heart. I couldn't believe it. I was really perplexed. We're talking about business. I didn't know it was something so personal," Andretti said.

In another thread to the story, the Cadillac bid is now fronted by Andretti Global majority owners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter. They are not motorsports people, but became involved with the Andretti family through IndyCar sponsorship of the Andretti Autosport team.

Andretti Global established an F1 base in Britain with a growing workforce and it's believed Mario will continue as the figurehead for the Cadillac outfit as he is confirmed as a company director with what is now called TWG Global.

“The F1 paddock is still my happy place," said Andretti in an official press release.

"My first love was Formula 1. I’m absolutely thrilled with Cadillac, Formula 1, Mark Walter, and Dan Towriss.

“To still be involved at this stage of my life — I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.”

The Cadillac news was also welcomed by the president of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who had previously championed the allocation of a place for the 11th team in Formula One before it was vetoed by Liberty Media.

"All parties, including the FIA, will continue to work together to ensure the process progresses smoothly," he said.

The Cadillac entry will continue to spark stories and speculation in coming weeks, months and years, including the likelihood of a US driver for at least one of the team's two cars.

Right now, second-generation racer Colton Herta is a potential starter with Mexican racer Pato O'Ward, despite close ties to McLaren which saw him driving in a free practice session at the Mexican Grand Prix, also having strong credentials.

“He’s definitely one that’s considered,” Andretti said of Herta, talking to NBC.

“I think you have to keep those options open, since it’s going to be a whole next season where we’re not going to be players.”