The FIA has officially approved General Motors as a future engine supplier for Formula 1, the organization announced on Wednesday. GM Performance Power Units LLC, a collaboration between General Motors and TWG Motorsports, will start supplying power units for the future Cadillac team from 2029. The Americans will be on the grid from 2026, but will use Ferrari engines for the first three seasons.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem responded enthusiastically to General Motors’ entry as an official engine manufacturer. “More than two years ago, the FIA approved the participation of an eleventh team,” he said in a press release. “The progress we see today confirms that this step was the right one. The arrival of GM Performance Power Units underscores the growing global appeal of Formula 1 and the increasing interest of top manufacturers.”
Ben Sulayem also emphasized the broader vision of the FIA: “General Motors’ commitment to innovation, sustainability, and competition aligns seamlessly with our ambitions. This strengthens our objective to make the sport more inclusive and accessible, with room for new manufacturers and technology.” The American automotive giant will focus on developing a hybrid powertrain over the next three years, in line with future engine regulations. In recent weeks, there have also been rumors that Formula 1 might return to atmospheric V10 engines. GM and the Cadillac team were – unsurprisingly – vehemently opposed.
The Importance of an American Power Unit
The leadership of the engine project is in the hands of motorsport veteran Russ O’Blenes, who was appointed CEO of GM Performance Power Units earlier this year. He too responded enthusiastically to the FIA’s approval. “Now that we have been given the green light, we are accelerating our efforts to get an American Formula 1 engine on the grid. This is a big step towards our vision of a competitive and above all, American power unit.”
The development of the new engine is already in full swing. While the team tests with prototypes, plans are being made for a new facility for GM Performance Power Units. This new base, near General Motors’ Charlotte Technical Center, is set to open its doors in 2026. The entry of a new engine supplier not only expands the engine offerings in Formula 1, but also represents a significant step forward in American involvement in the sport. Liberty Media and the FIA have been focusing on this important growth market for some time.
