General Motors forms engine company for Cadillac F1 project

Liberty Media-owned Formula 1 last November announced an agreement in principle for the team, backed by GM and partners TWG Global who also own and operate Andretti Global, to become an 11th entry in 2026.

GM Performance Power Units LLC will be led by Russ O'Blenes, who currently serves as director of the GM Motorsports Propulsion and Performance team.

GM President Mark Reuss said in a Cadillac statement: "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.

“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."

“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," explained Reuss.

“Together with Team Principal Graeme Lowdon, they will lead the team in setting new standards of performance and innovation in the sport," Reuss said.

O’Blenes added: “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. GM PPU is currently ramping up its team and is hiring in all areas of the business.”

Cadillac said development and testing of a prototype had already started and plans were in place for a dedicated facility for the new company to open in 2026 near the GM technical centre in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The team, who also have a base at Silverstone in England, will use Ferrari engines until the GM engines are ready and approved.