CADILLAC will join the grid from the 2026 season as Formula One’s 11th team.

The General Motors-backed entry was approved by the FIA and F1 on Friday after an initial agreement was announced last November.

Cadillac will join the grid from the 2026 season as Formula One’s 11th team

Valtteri Bottas returned to Mercedes in 2025 as a reserve driver

Sergio Perez has been linked with a move to the new Cadillac team

The new F1 season gets underway next weekend with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

Experienced F1 outcasts Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas have already been linked with the new team since losing their respective Red Bull and Sauber seats ahead of this term.

Meanwhile, US team Cadillac has spoken about the desire to have one American driver in their first line-up.

A short joint statement read: “The FIA and Formula 1 can confirm that, following the completion of their respective sporting, technical and commercial assessments,

“The application by General Motors and TWG Motorsports to bring a Cadillac team to the FIA Formula One World Championship from 2026 has been approved.”

California-born Colton Herta, 24, who currently drives for IndyCar’s Andretti team and has won nine races in the US-based series, appears to be in the running to drive for Cadillac.

F1 president Stefano Domenicali added: “The commitment by General Motors to bring a Cadillac team to F1 was an important and positive demonstration of the evolution of our sport.”

It was announced last November that Cadillac had secured an agreement in principle to join the grid.

It is part of a revised offering from General Motors in conjunction with US group TWG Motorsports

General Motors is committed to running its own works engine by the end of the decade.

But before that, the Cadillac team has secured a deal to initially run Ferrari’s engine and gearbox from its first season in a deal announced in December.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “Today marks a transformative moment.

“And I am proud to lead the federation in this progressive step for the championship.

“The FIA Formula One Championship‘s expansion to an 11th team in 2026 is a milestone.

“GM/Cadillac brings fresh energy, aligning with the new FIA 2026 regulations and ushering in an exciting era for the sport.”

Britain’s Graeme Lowdon, the former sporting director of the Marussia team, is the Cadillac team principal.