General Motors and TWG Motorsports have appointed Russ O’Blenes as CEO of the newly formed Cadillac Formula 1 engine project.
Cadillac will join the F1 grid as its 11th team in 2026, and for the first two seasons will be a Ferrari power unit and gearbox customer.
An attractive part of Cadillac’s F1 proposal was its desire to produce a power unit in time for the 2028 season and on Thursday GM Performance Power Units LLC was formed to get the ball rolling.
O’Blenes will head the venture and will utilise more than 30 years of racing experience.
“We’re delighted to welcome Russ to this pivotal role,” said Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports and the figurehead who succeeded in reforming the failed Andretti bid into Cadillac’s F1 team.
“[O’Blenes’] 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 CV includes leading the development of the GM Performance and Racing Center in Pontiac and he serves as Director of the GM Motorsports Propulsion and Performance team.
“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.”
Cadillac F1 engine already in development
As per GM’s press release: “Development and testing of the [Cadillac’s] Formula 1 prototype engine technology is already underway.”
Headquarters for Performance Power Units LLC will be built near GM’s Charlotte Technical Center in 2026.
“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.”
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