A historic green light from the FIA In a significant move that cements America’s growing influence in Formula One, General Motors has received formal approval from the FIA to become an official engine supplier from the 2029 season. The announcement, made in an official FIA press release on Wednesday, marks a landmark moment for both GM and the sport as a whole, particularly as Formula One continues to move deeper into the US market.
The governing body’s decision not only paves the way for GM to bring its own power units to the grid, but also confirms that the company’s motorsport ambitions go far beyond supplying engines – it is playing the long game in a rapidly evolving F1 landscape.
Cadillac’s 2026 entry was just the beginning
This development follows closely on the heels of Cadillac’s formal acceptance as the eleventh Formula One team on the grid for the 2026 season. This entry, a joint venture between General Motors and Andretti Global, will see the American marque return to the pinnacle of motorsport under the iconic Cadillac badge.
However, for the first three seasons (2026 to 2028) the new team will run engines supplied by Ferrari while GM works in the background to get its own engine programme up and running.
This transitional approach will give GM valuable time to integrate into the sport, understand Formula One’s technological complexities and prepare its engine development infrastructure to meet the rigorous demands of F1’s next-generation hybrid regulations, which are expected to come into force in 2026 and beyond.
A new era of powertrain development in North Carolina
Key to this long-term plan is the establishment of a new engine development centre near GM’s engineering development base in Charlotte, North Carolina. The facility is being built in partnership with TWG Motorsports, the parent company of Andretti Global. It will serve as the core of GM Performance Power Units LLC, the newly formed GM subsidiary dedicated to Formula One powertrain development.
“This is a pivotal moment in our commitment to Formula One,” Russ O’Blenes, CEO of GM Performance Power Units LLC, told Motorsport.com.
“With the FIA’s approval, we are accelerating our plans to bring a fully American-developed power unit to the Formula One grid. It’s a proud moment for all of us, and now the real work begins.”
The Charlotte area, already a hotbed of motorsport engineering thanks to its close ties to NASCAR, will now become a major hub for Formula One technology – a symbolic and strategic move aimed at further embedding F1 in the US sporting consciousness.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem: GM entry highlights F1’s global reach
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem was quick to highlight the significance of GM’s formal recognition as a power unit supplier.
“The inclusion of GM Performance Power Units LLC as an approved powertrain supplier from 2029 represents another significant step in the global expansion of Formula One,” he said.
Ben Sulayem also emphasised how the move reflects the growing appeal of F1 to world-class automotive brands.
“It demonstrates the growing interest in our premier class from leading car manufacturers such as General Motors. Their commitment to innovation, sustainability and competition aligns perfectly with the FIA’s vision for the future of the sport.”
GM’s decision to invest heavily in a bespoke engine programme, rather than simply relying on customer engines for the long term, underlines a deep-rooted commitment to being competitive on all technical fronts – not just branding or race team operations.
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A growing list of elite engine manufacturers
When GM officially joins the ranks of engine suppliers in 2029, it will join an elite group that includes Ferrari, Mercedes, Audi and Ford.
Notably, Ford is also part of the sport’s American revolution, having partnered with Red Bull Powertrains for the upcoming 2026 regulations cycle. This project will see Ford provide technical and financial support as Red Bull transitions from Honda-built engines to its own fully Ford branded programme.
This competitive landscape illustrates just how much the F1 engine battleground has evolved. Once the almost exclusive domain of European and Japanese giants, the modern grid is increasingly characterised by strategic global partnerships and the emergence of US powerhouses. The arrival of GM alongside Ford represents a powerful shift – Formula One is no longer just a European sport with American fans; it is fast becoming a truly global competition, with the United States playing a leading role both on and off the track.
A deliberate, strategic approach GM’s entry strategy
Starting as a team partner running customer engines before launching its own power units – mirrors that of many successful F1 operations. This measured rollout is critical given the immense complexity of hybrid powertrain regulations, which combine complex internal combustion engines with state-of-the-art energy recovery systems.
By 2029, when GM’s engines are expected to make their on-track debut, the team will have three full seasons of F1 operational experience. This will allow engineers to gather critical data, test integration solutions and perfect reliability benchmarks before racing with fully homologated, internally produced engines.
This timeline also aligns with the broader technical evolution of Formula One, as the sport moves towards more sustainable fuel use and simplified yet powerful hybrid units. For GM, this isn’t just about entering Formula One – it’s about contributing to the future of the sport and defining its next technological era.
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A Big Bet on a Bigger Future
General Motors’ formal approval by the FIA as an engine manufacturer is more than a regulatory tick box – it’s a statement of intent. Backed by decades of engineering heritage and a renewed passion for international motorsport, GM’s engine debut in 2029 could herald a new chapter for Formula One, one in which American innovation plays a central role in shaping how the sport sounds, performs and wins.
With a state-of-the-art facility underway in North Carolina, a powerful brand in Cadillac and the strategic support of the Andretti family, GM is poised not just to join Formula One – but to make a serious impact. For fans, competitors and stakeholders alike, the countdown to 2029 has already begun. And with it, the next phase of Formula One’s American revolution.
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