General Motors approved as F1 engine supplier from 2029

General Motors (GM) has been officially approved as a Formula One power unit supplier by the International Automobile Federation (FIA).

Confirmed:

• GM will be an official Formula One power unit supplier starting in 2029
• The Cadillac team will use Ferrari engines until the GM power units are homologated for racing use

Context:

GM will produce powertrains for its Cadillac team under a company called GM Performance Power Units, a joint venture between GM and TWG Motorsports. The latter is a subsidiary of TWG Global, the primary investment arm of Guggenheim Partners, which has more than US$310 billion of assets under management.

Cadillac will be one of two US teams on the Formula One grid alongside Haas, who are based in Kannapolis in North Carolina. Both teams will receive an engine supply from Ferrari, with Haas’ technical agreement also set to expire at the end of the 2028 season.

When GM first announced its intention to become a power unit supplier, it was suggested that the company was targeting the 2028 season as a point of entry. A 12-month delay may not seem like much on the surface, but 2029 is rumoured to be under consideration for a shift in engine philosophy.

Reports indicate Formula One is looking at moving to a V8 or V10 engine running on sustainable fuels, which would do away with the complicated turbo hybrid engines introduced in 2014. Simply put, the mooted direction would be far less complex and, crucially, cheaper.

Even if the series opts to stick with the current engine formula, which is evolving from next season to place a greater emphasis on electrical power, GM’s decision to delay means it can avoid a costly investment before a firm direction has been decided.

Comment:

“Over two years ago, the FIA approved the entry of an eleventh team into the FIA Formula One World Championship, guided by my vision to expand the grid and bring new talent and opportunity to our sport,” said Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA.

“Although the process was at times challenging, the progress we see today affirms the journey has been worthwhile.

“Welcoming GM Performance Power Units LLC. as an approved power unit supplier for the Championship starting in 2029 marks another step in the global expansion of Formula One and highlights the growing interest from world-class automotive manufacturers like General Motors.

“Their dedication to innovation, sustainability, and competition is fully aligned with the FIA’s vision for the future of our sport. It also strengthens our commitment to making motorsport more accessible and inclusive worldwide – welcoming new manufacturers, advancing technology, and connecting with a broader, more diverse fan base.”

Coming next:

Development and testing of the team’s engine technology is ongoing, while there are plans for the team to open a dedicated facility for the production of its power units near GM’s technical centre in Charlotte, North Carolina, next year.

The team will conduct much of its logistical operations from its European base in Silverstone, UK, and it will also be using Toyota’s famed wind tunnel in Cologne, Germany, as part of a long-term agreement.

Go deeper:

• Cadillac team principal: Commercial interest ‘outstripping capacity’ ahead of F1 debut
• Breaking down F1’s 2025 sponsorship portfolio