Cadillac faces a ‘monumental task’ to be competitive when it enters Formula One in 2026, Aston Martin boss warns

LUSAIL, Qatar — General Motors and Cadillac face a “monumental challenge” to prepare to compete in Formula One in 2026, even if they could theoretically get a head start on some design work, series top officials said Friday.

Monday’s announcement that General Motors’ Cadillac brand will join the starting grid as its 11th team starting in 2026 was widely welcomed by drivers.

In theory, Cadillac could benefit from being on the sidelines as Formula 1 prepares for major car and engine rule changes in 2026. Existing teams are prohibited from conducting critical work on 2026 projects, such as wind tunnel testing, until January 1.

“It’s a huge task to try now to build a team for 2026 with a completely different set of rules,” Aston Martin team principal Mike Krak said at the Qatar Grand Prix. “So even if there was a slight head start, I think it will balance out very quickly.”

Williams team principal James Vowles said he expects GM to be subject to Formula One’s cost cap restrictions from next year as it prepares to join, and that an additional hurdle will be that some aerodynamics rules are not yet final.

“As much as you can look at 2024 as a time where you could have a head start, by the time January 1 comes around everything will be well controlled by the rules and after that the challenge will still be huge,” the RB team boss said. – said Laurent Mekis.

There has been a lot of speculation about what the GM-backed team is doing as it prepares to join the grid. Last year, when Michael Andretti was still the face of the project, the team built the car to 2023 regulations for wind tunnel testing. GM, which is staffing a plant near the Silverstone circuit in England, is expected to use Ferrari engines until Cadillac’s own engine is ready in 2028.

Team leaders are demanding clarity on certain details, such as the exact financials of how existing teams will be compensated for a reduced portion of revenue. Vowles said the GM focus has a “different meaning” compared to the earlier Andretti-focused version of the proposal.

“It’s just a sign of growth, a sign of where Formula 1 is going,” Vowles said Friday of GM’s arrival. “I have always said that this would be a financial loss for the existing teams. What we need to do now is develop the sport enough and be aware of it so that everything is good for everyone.”

Drivers are returning to Cadillac

For drivers potentially facing the end of their road in Formula 1, the arrival of Cadillac could mean a new opportunity, and a new team would be welcome.

“It only increased the chances of getting a seat in ’26,” said Valtteri Bottas, the 10-time race winner who is leaving Sauber at the end of the season and is close to finalizing a deal that will become Mercedes’ reserve for 2025.

Bottas added this week that he would like to contact Cadillac to discuss a role in 2026, but “you know for sure that I’m not the only one. Of course I’m interested in it and I think it’s great for Formula 1. It’s a great brand and GM is a big supporter of it.”

Another driver in contention for the spot is Bottas’ Sauber teammate Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese driver in Formula One. “If there is a chance to capture, I will definitely take it,” he said.