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General Motors has officially been approved by the FIA as a Formula 1 power unit supplier starting in 2029, marking a significant milestone in the American automotive giant's entry into the sport's most competitive category. What makes this development particularly noteworthy is that the engine design project is running ahead of schedule, according to Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports, which operates the Cadillac Formula 1 team in partnership with GM.
The journey of Cadillac to Formula 1 represents one of motorsport's most ambitious ventures. Originally, General Motors registered with the FIA to become a power unit supplier beginning in 2028. However, under the continued development efforts of the GM Performance Power Units division, based in Concord, North Carolina, the timeline has evolved. The collaboration between TWG Motorsports and General Motors—formally established as TWG GM Performance Power Units LLC—is now targeting a 2029 debut for the homologated Cadillac engine, with development work already well underway.
The Cadillac team will make its Formula 1 debut in 2026 as a customer team, powered by Ferrari engines for the first three seasons before transitioning to its own General Motors-developed powerplant in 2029. This strategic arrangement allows Cadillac to establish itself on the grid while the GM Performance Power Units division continues its intensive engineering work without distraction.
Towriss emphasized the separation of intellectual property between the Ferrari supply agreement and GM's engine development program. "Everybody's got to bring their own IP, so Ferrari has theirs and with the GM performance power unit group, that's part of the Formula 1 team," he explained. "We're developing our own IP, we're developing our own engines and bringing our own product to the grid in Formula 1, so those are going to be completely separate."
This approach reflects a pragmatic understanding of the technical and regulatory complexities facing new power unit suppliers in Formula 1. The decision to prioritize rapid homologation—ensuring the engine meets FIA technical regulations—over maintaining a 2028 target demonstrates Cadillac's commitment to delivering a competitive power unit rather than rushing to meet an arbitrary deadline.
The commitment to building a world-class Formula 1 power unit extends beyond engineering talent to physical infrastructure. Development and testing of the power unit is already underway and is set to move to a dedicated facility near Charlotte in 2026 as part of a $150 million investment. This facility, positioned near GM's Charlotte Technical Center in North Carolina, will serve as the epicenter of the power unit development program.
Additionally, Cadillac has established a European facility adjacent to Silverstone, the circuit hosting the British Grand Prix, allowing the team to maintain proximity to Formula 1's operational heartland. These dual-facility operations underscore the scale of resources dedicated to developing a competitive engine package.
One factor influencing the 2029 timeline is ongoing regulatory discussion regarding the next power unit regulations cycle. Originally slated for 2031, conversations about potential acceleration of these regulations have prompted careful attention from the Cadillac project leadership. However, Towriss made clear that regardless of regulatory timing, the immediate focus remains delivering the Cadillac power unit to the grid as soon as practically possible.
"The project's ahead of schedule, actually," Towriss stated. "As of right now, we're slated to bring the Cadillac PU online and to compete in 2029."
When Cadillac debuts in 2026, the team will inevitably face aerodynamic deficits compared to established competitors. However, Towriss projects that development velocity—the rate at which the team improves—will be steep as engineers gather performance data throughout the season. The organization's early focus will center on reliability and system integration rather than immediate points-scoring.
The introduction of a new American power unit into Formula 1 represents a significant expansion of the sport's technical and geographical diversity. When the Cadillac engine debuts in 2029, it will compete against established suppliers including Ferrari, Mercedes, Audi, and the Ford-backed Red Bull power unit program, elevating competition and innovation across the grid.
This development reflects Formula 1's strategic direction toward expanding manufacturing participation while maintaining technical excellence. For enthusiasts who recognize the emotional significance of American-built engines competing at motorsport's pinnacle, the accelerating timeline for Cadillac's power unit represents validation that this ambitious project is genuinely materializing ahead of initial projections.
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.