The Cadillac-Andretti team has secured official entry onto the Formula One World Championship grid for the 2026 season.
This expansion represents a strategic move to grow the U.S. market for Formula One. By adding a global manufacturer to the grid, the sport aligns with the FIA’s commercial strategy and cost-cap framework to ensure long-term sustainability.
The FIA approved the entry on Nov. 25, 2024 [1]. This marked the first time a new team has joined the grid since 2016 [3]. The process required 468 days between the initial approval and the team's competitive debut [2].
Backed by Cadillac and the Andretti family, the team made its maiden race appearance at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne during the opening weekend of the season in March 2026 [1]. While the team is based in Miami, the Australian event served as the official start to their campaign.
Following the season opener, the team is scheduled to compete in its home-race debut later in the year at the Miami Grand Prix. The entry of a U.S.-based manufacturer is intended to capitalize on the rising popularity of the sport across North America.
The partnership combines the automotive resources of Cadillac with the racing pedigree of the Andretti family. This collaboration aims to challenge established European manufacturers by leveraging American engineering, and commercial investment.
“The FIA approved the entry on Nov. 25, 2024.”
The admission of Cadillac-Andretti signals a shift in Formula One's growth strategy, moving from merely hosting races in the U.S. to integrating American industrial power into the grid. By breaking a decade-long streak of no new teams, the FIA is prioritizing manufacturer diversity and market expansion over the existing status quo of the ten-team grid.
