The officialization of the arrival of General Motors/Cadillac in F1 for 2026 surprised everyone, to say the least. General Motors has confirmed its intention to become an engine supplierfor the Andretti Global team from 2028. It is Cadillac Racing which could finally represent General Motors on the grid, and this, sooner than expected.
Motors Inside sans pub ?
Subscribe
A challenge remains: the engine
General Motors will not have its own operational engine before 2028. To overcome this problem, from 2026, Cadillac will therefore have to turn to an existing supplier. Speculation surrounding Cadillac Racing’s engine supplier should soon clear up, as the team prepares its entry into Formula 1.
Andretti Global, partner of Cadillac Racing, had initially considered a collaboration with Renault, but this track has now been abandoned. Indeed, Renault recently announced its withdrawal as an F1 engine manufacturer, making way for Mercedes units for its Alpine team, in 2026.
Mercedes, already a supplier for Alpine, McLaren, Williams and its own factory team from 2026, also seems unlikely. A fifth team would pose technical and logistical challenges that would be difficult to overcome.
For its part, Ferrari prioritizes its own needs as well as those of Haas, its only current client. There is no indication of a desire to expand its client portfolio.
Honda: the logical choice?
The most plausible solution remains Honda. From 2026, Honda will already be Aston Martin’s engine partner, but will have no further involvement in F1. Additionally, a collaboration between General Motors and Honda would be consistent, as both companies share a long history of partnerships in other automotive sectors.
The rules of Formula 1 could also favor this scenario. If a team remains without an engine, the manufacturer with the fewest customers may be forced to provide them. With Aston Martin as the only customer, Honda is therefore an obvious choice.
Audi: the least likely option
Audi, which will join the grid in 2026 with its own engine, could represent an alternative. However, the German brand has so far indicated it wants to focus exclusively on its partnership with Sauber, making a collaboration with Cadillac Racing unlikely unless forced to do so by the FIA.
The choice of engine manufacturer for Cadillac Racing will be decisive in ensuring its successful entry into Formula 1. If Honda appears to be the most logical candidate, the ongoing discussions could hold surprises. One thing is certain: General Motors seems determined to make a striking entrancewhether or not it is accompanied by its own engine.
