Cadillac to Shift F1 'Center of Gravity' to U.S. in Quest for All-American Winner

Cadillac is embarking on an ambitious mission to create the first all-American-built F1 winner of the modern era, with Pat Symonds revealing a long-term plan to shift the team's "centre of gravity" from the UK to its massive new facilities in the United States. While starting as a Ferrari customer in 2026, the ultimate goal is a fully autonomous General Motors powerhouse challenging for victories from its American base.

Why it matters:

A successful, American-built and based F1 team would be a landmark achievement for the series, which has seen its popularity in the U.S. skyrocket. Cadillac is not just entering the sport; it's attempting to break a historical drought that has lasted since Dan Gurney's Eagle won the 1967 Belgian Grand Prix, fundamentally challenging the UK-centric model of F1 manufacturing.

The details:

• Phased Entry: The team will debut in 2026 using Ferrari power units while simultaneously developing its own engine, with the target of becoming a full works team by 2029.
• Global to American Operations: Initially, operations will be split between the UK (chassis and race operations at Silverstone), Germany (Toyota wind tunnel in Cologne), and the US. However, the plan is to consolidate most manufacturing in America.
• Massive US Investment: A new 420,000 sq. ft. factory is under construction in Fishers, Indiana, which will handle the bulk of car production. The power unit program is centered in Charlotte, North Carolina.
• Differentiating from Haas: Unlike the current American team, which is US-owned but relies heavily on UK-based manufacturing and Italian-built chassis, Cadillac intends for the vast majority of its car to be designed and built in the United States.

What's next:

The transition to a US-centric operation will be gradual but deliberate. Cadillac plans to move most of its European-based supply chain manufacturing to its new Indiana facility "relatively soon." The next major decision will likely be building its own wind tunnel in America, a move Symonds notes would be more cost-effective under the F1 cost cap due to lower electricity prices. The team is also facing recruitment challenges in the UK due to long notice periods, slowing the buildup of its British-based staff compared to its US operations.