GM Performance Power Units LLC Leads Cadillac Project as Formula One Races Toward Sustainability

On January 9, 2025, TWG Motorsports and General Motors (GM) unveiled the creation of GM Performance Power Units LLC, a new company set to propel Cadillac into Formula 1. The partnership aims to establish Cadillac as a “full works” team—developing both vehicles and power units—by the end of the decade, with the goal of having a Cadillac-powered Formula 1 car in 2026.

Russ O’Blenes, an industry veteran with over 30 years of experience in motor racing engineering, has been appointed as the CEO of the new venture. O’Blenes, who currently serves as the director of GM’s Motorsports Propulsion and Performance team, will lead the development of powertrains for Cadillac’s Formula 1 team. His extensive expertise in racing engineering will be pivotal in establishing Cadillac as a formidable competitor in the sport, helping build a world-class technological foundation for the new 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.”

This announcement marks an exciting step in Cadillac’s motorsport ambitions, as it looks to enter Formula 1 with cutting-edge power unit technology and high-performance vehicles, signaling GM’s continued expansion into the world of global motorsport.

“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.”

“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,” said O’Blenes. “GM PPU is currently ramping up its team and is hiring in all areas of the business.”

The Cadillac Formula 1 Team will utilize Ferrari power units until the new GM engines are approved for racing use. In November, General Motors and TWG Global reached an agreement in principle with Formula 1 to bring a Cadillac team to the series in 2026.

Formula One Makes Significant Moves Toward Sustainability

Starting in 2026, Formula 1 will introduce a significantly more powerful and sustainable power unit, with key changes designed to push the sport into a greener future while enhancing performance. The hybrid battery component will be substantially upgraded, increasing its power output from 120 kW to 350 kW—three times more electrical power than the current hybrid systems.

While the internal combustion engine (ICE) power output will be reduced from the current range of 550-560 kW to 400 kW, the overall power available will still increase due to the much larger contribution from the electric system.

From 2026, Formula 1 cars will benefit from significant advancements in energy recovery and sustainability. The amount of energy recovered during braking will be doubled, allowing cars to generate around 8.5 megajoules per lap. Additionally, the cars will have three times more electric braking power, and drivers will have greater flexibility in how they use the energy they’ve collected, thanks to new energy harvesting strategies. This will introduce more creativity in managing energy during races.

The new regulations also include improvements in vehicle weight and aerodynamics. Cars will be 30 kilograms lighter, and reductions in drag will enhance overall energy recovery, contributing to better performance and efficiency.

Before 2022, the fuel used in F1 cars contained 5.75% bio-components. In 2022, this rose to 10% with the introduction of E10 fuel, where “E” stands for ethanol and “10” represents the percentage of ethanol in the mixture. From 2026 onward, every F1 car will run on fully sustainable fuel, following years of research and testing with F1 partner ARAMCO.

On the sustainability front, Formula 1 has made significant strides. EVinfo.net commends Formula One for its forward-thinking new policies to save the environment, while providing a popular form of motorsport entertainment.