General Motors has confirmed that it will become a Formula 1 engine supplier “by the end of the decade” for its new Cadillac team that joins the grid next year.
It today announced the formation of GM Performance Power Units LLC, which clears Cadillac’s path to becoming a “full works” team that builds its own cars and engines, like Ferrari and Mercedes.
Development and testing of the team’s Formula 1 prototype engine technology is already underway, but a precise year of its introduction is yet to be revealed as it will require approval by the sport’s governing body, the FIA. Until then, Cadillac Formula 1 Team will utilize Ferrari power units, and the 2026 F1 cars will be powered by radically different engines to this year, with an almost 50/50 split between internal combustion engine and electrical power.
Industry veteran Russ O’Blenes, currently director of the GM Motorsports Propulsion and Performance team, has been named CEO of the new venture. O’Blenes joins TWG Motorsports, the outfit that has been created from the formerly Andretti-fronted group to compete in F1. Mario Andretti, the last American F1 champion, will serve as a director on the team’s board.
O’Blenes’ career includes powertrain development for championship racing teams and award-winning production vehicles. He also led development of the GM Performance and Racing Center in Pontiac, Michigan, and the commercialization of the brand’s eCrate initiative for performance car builders and EV enthusiasts.
“Russ brings vast experience from many championship racing series, and has outstanding technical expertise, including spearheading our hybrid IMSA Cadillac and Corvette C8.R engines that are proven winners,” said GM President Mark Reuss. “In F1, we’re going to demonstrate GM’s engineering and technology capabilities on a global stage, and Russ is the right choice to lead the Power Unit team that will make it happen.”
Plans are in place to open a dedicated facility for Performance Power Units LLC near GM’s Charlotte Technical Center in 2026.
Since GM’s bid to join F1 was announced in January 2023, Cadillac Formula 1 has assembled an experienced team to work on aerodynamics, chassis and component development, software, and vehicle dynamics simulation. The team has operations in Fishers, Indiana; Charlotte, North Carolina; Warren, Michigan; and Silverstone, England.
“I am truly excited to have the opportunity to build and lead the team that will bring an American built F1 power unit to the grid,” said O’Blenes. “GM PPU is currently ramping up its team and is hiring in all areas of the business.”
Source: Cadillac