--- title: "Cadillac F1 Wants to Become a Full Works Team by 2030" date: "2025-01-09" modified: "2025-01-09" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/cadillac-f1-wants-to-become-a-full-works-team-by-2030" categories: - "F1" - "News" - "Racing" --- # Cadillac F1 Wants to Become a Full Works Team by 2030 ![]() *\Cadillac\* General Motors announced Thursday morning the creation of a new business: GM Performance Power Units LLC. The new entity is tasked with helping the new Cadillac [Formula 1]() outfit become a "full works" team by the turn of the decade. This is an important and rather ambitious development in the American automaker's journey into F1. It means Cadillac aims not just to be a branded team like Alfa Romeo was with Sauber, or an engine partner like Ford with Red Bull, but actually wants to build its own F1 cars the way Ferrari or Mercedes does. Tasked with leading GM Performance Power Units is Russ O’Blenes, a 30-year racing engineer veteran who currently leads the GM Motorsports Propulsion and Performance team responsible for the brand's involvement in IMSA, WEC, and other domestic and global series. He's previously led the GM Performance and Racing Center in Pontiac, Michigan, and championed the commercialization of the eCrate project for performance car builders and EV enthusiasts. I've had several interactions with O’Blenes, most recently at the [24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023 and 2024](). There's no doubt he possesses the right technical qualities and leadership to steer the ship in the right direction. ![Russ O’Blenes has been named CEO of GM Performance Power Units LLC, which will build powertrains for the Cadillac Formula 1 team that will be on the grid in 2026.]() *Cadilla* Cadillac's foray into F1 has been rather nightmarish, with the drama that engulfed the Andretti family and the [unfair treatment of their F1 application]() denied by the commercial rights holder last year despite being approved by the FIA. After months of behind-the-scenes dealings, the stepping down of Michael Andretti from his own organization, and the [departure of Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei](), the automaker's proposal survived thanks to the vision of Dan Towriss and, ultimately, GM President Mark Reuss' desire to see Cadillac race at the highest level. “Russ \[O'Blenes\] 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 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.” The automaker expects to open a brand-new Performance Power Units facility near GM’s Charlotte Technical Center in 2026, where O'Blenes and the GM PPU team will be based. *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()