GM Motors forms its own F1 power unit company
TWG Motorsports and General Motors have announced the formation of GM Performance Power Units LLC, a new company that will produce Cadillac’s in-house power unit for F1 beyond its deal with current supplier Ferrari.
General Motors and TWG Global have recently confirmed that they have reached an agreement in principle with Formula 1 to bring a Cadillac team to the series in 2026.
In addition, the US car giant is also launching an F1 power unit that will put the Cadillac Formula 1 Team on the path to being a “full works” team — building its own F1 vehicles and power units — by the end of the decade.
However, the new outfit that will be the first new team to join F1 since 2016 and the eleventh team on the grid, will be powered by Ferrari, with the Italian manufacturer set to supply Cadillac not just with its power units, but with gearboxes as well.
TWG Motorsports, which is the majority owner of the team originally started by the Andretti organisation, and General Motors have now announced that they have formed a new company to build the future Cadillac Formula 1 team’s engines beyond its initial arrangement for a supply of Ferrari power units.
Industry veteran Russ O’Blenes has been named CEO of the new venture.
With more than 30 years of motor racing engineering experience, O’Blenes is currently director of the GM Motorsports Propulsion and Performance team.
“We’re delighted to welcome Russ to this pivotal role,” said Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports. “His expertise and leadership will be instrumental as we lay the foundation for Cadillac’s Formula 1 journey. Together with Team Principal Graeme Lowdon, they will lead the team in setting new standards of performance and innovation in the sport.”
O’Blenes’ career includes powertrain development for championship racing teams and award-winning production vehicles. He also led development of the GM Performance and Racing Center in Pontiac, Michigan, and the commercialization of the brand’s eCrate initiative for performance car builders and EV enthusiasts.
“Russ brings vast experience from many championship racing series, and has outstanding technical expertise, including spearheading our hybrid IMSA Cadillac and Corvette C8.R engines that are proven winners,” said GM President Mark Reuss. “In F1, we’re going to demonstrate GM’s engineering and technology capabilities on a global stage, and Russ is the right choice to lead the Power Unit team that will make it happen.”
Development and testing of the team’s Formula 1 prototype engine technology is already underway. Engineering the F1 power unit will leverage and advance GM’s expertise in electrification, hybrid technology, sustainable fuels, high efficiency internal combustion engines, advanced controls, and software systems.
Plans are in place to open a dedicated facility for Performance Power Units LLC near GM’s Charlotte Technical Center in 2026.
Commenting on the announcement, O’Blenes added: “I am truly excited to have the opportunity to build and lead the team that will bring an American built F1 power unit to the grid. GM PPU is currently ramping up its team and is hiring in all areas of the business.”
