*

Cadillac team wins formal approval for 2026

*

Entry expands grid to 11 teams

(Adds quotes and detail)

By Alan Baldwin

LONDON, March 7 (Reuters) -

A General Motors ( GM )-backed Cadillac entry will become Formula One's 11th team next year after securing formal approval from the commercial rights holders and governing FIA on Friday.

Formula One and the FIA confirmed in a joint statement that the necessary sporting, technical and commercial assessments had been completed.

The various parties had reached an agreement in principal last November after Formula One had rejected a previous bid under the name of Andretti that the FIA had approved.

"As we said in November, the commitment by General Motors ( GM ) to bring a Cadillac team to Formula One was an important and positive demonstration of the evolution of our sport," said Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali.

"I want to thank GM and TWG Motorsports for their constructive engagement over many months and look forward to welcoming the team on the grid from 2026 for what will be another exciting year for Formula One."

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said the expansion to 11 teams was a "transformative moment" and an important milestone for the championship.

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

"The Cadillac Formula One team's presence in the paddock will inspire future competitors and fans."

Formula One is entering a new engine era in 2026, with significant chassis regulation changes also, and Cadillac have a deal in place to

use Ferrari engines

until General Motors ( GM ) can produce their own.

Cadillac have also appointed

Briton Graeme Lowdon

to lead the team and have established a European headquarters at Silverstone.

"This announcement is the next step in getting on the grid and continues our efforts towards building a full-works team," said Lowdon.

"Through the long and thorough application process, we have never lost pace in our planning or our belief in the mission. We can't wait to go racing and give fans a new team to cheer for."