GM and TWG Motorsports have appointed Russ O’Blenes to head up their newly formed power unit venture for the Cadillac F1 team.
O’Blenes has more than 30 years of motor racing engineering experience under his belt. He is already familiar with the brand as the current director of the GM Motorsports Propulsion and Performance team.
“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, CEO of Performance Power Units LLC. “GM PPU is currently ramping up its team and is hiring in all areas of the business.”
From Ferrari customer team to powered by Cadillac
Cadillac is set to make its F1 debut as the 11th team on the grid in 2026 under the GM group.
They will be a Ferrari customer team, with the Scuderia providing engines and gearboxes until they are ready to function independently as a works team. The American automotive giant has an ambitious long-term vision that involves producing its own power units in-house by 2028.
Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports, said:
“We’re delighted to welcome Russ to this pivotal role. 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.”
GM President Mark Reuss added: “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.
“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.”
State-of-the-art facility in the works
GM has confirmed that development and testing of its Formula 1 prototype engine technology are already in progress.
To support its transition to a full-fledged works team, GM plans to open a dedicated powertrains development facility, strategically located near their existing technical center in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2026.
