General Motors formally registered with the FIA as a Formula 1 power unit manufacturer starting in the 2028 season. Last month, the FIA approved Andretti’s Expression of Interest application for Andretti Cadillac to race in the FIA Formula One World Championship.

GM’s development and testing of prototype technology is already underway. Engineering a F1 power unit will advance GM’s expertise in areas including electrification, hybrid technology, sustainable fuels, high efficiency internal combustion engines, advanced controls and software systems.

The FIA defines the power unit as the the internal combustion engine and turbocharger, complete with its ancillaries, any energy recovery system and all actuation systems and PU-Control electronics necessary to make them function at all times.

Per the technical regulations for the 2026 power unit, only 4-stroke engines with reciprocating pistons are permitted, with a capacity of 1.6 liters (+0/-10cc). All engines must have six cylinders arranged in a 90˚ V, with two inlet and two exhaust valves per cylinder. Only the engine and the energy recovery system (ERS) can propel the car.

Source: FIA

Fuel energy flow must not exceed 3000MJ/h; the electrical power of the ERS-K may not exceed 350 kW. The energy harvested by the ERS-K in each lap must not exceed 9MJ.

For more than a century, racing has provided a testbed for GM and Cadillac to transfer knowledge and technology between race cars and production vehicles. Cadillac’s V-Series performance portfolio, celebrating its 20^th anniversary, seamlessly incorporates learnings from the track to the road.

With a long history of racing success, Cadillac most recently developed the 5.5L DOHC V-8 powertrain used in the 2023 IMSA and WEC seasons. With this powertrain, Cadillac Racing secured a podium finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and swept top championship honors for the inaugural IMSA Grand Touring Prototype season.