Latest news with #RussO'Blenes


Gulf Today
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Gulf Today
FIA approves GM to become F1 engine supplier in '29
General Motors engines will be available for use in Formula 1 races beginning in 2029, FIA, the circuit's governing body, announced on Wednesday. GM will power cars for the Cadillac F1 team, a new entity that will start racing in 2026. The Cadillac team will use Ferrari engines from 2026 through 2028 before making the switch to GM engines. "With this approval from the FIA, we will continue to accelerate our efforts to bring an American-built F1 power unit to the grid," Russ O'Blenes, the CEO of GM Performance Power Units LLC, said in a statement. Last year, a GM bid proposed by the Andretti organization was approved by FIA but rejected by F1. Now GM is in, partnering with the Cadillac team. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said in a statement, "Although the process was at times challenging, the progress we see today affirms the journey has been worthwhile. "Welcoming GM Performance Power Units LLC as an approved power unit supplier for the Championship starting in 2029 marks another step in the global expansion of Formula 1 and highlights the growing interest from world-class automotive manufacturers like General Motors. "Their dedication to innovation, sustainability, and competition is fully aligned with the FIA's vision for the future of our sport. It also strengthens our commitment to making motorsport more accessible and inclusive worldwide -- welcoming new manufacturers, advancing technology, and connecting with a broader, more diverse fan base." GM has teamed with TWG Motorsports to create an entity known as TWG GM Performance Power Units LLC. ESPN reported the company is making a $150 million investment in developing and testing, the latter of which will move next year to GM's Charlotte Technical Center. Reuters


Forbes
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
FIA Approves General Motors F1 Power Unit For Cadillac Team In 2029
Cadillac's Formula One effort has taken another step forward. TWG GM Performance Power Units LLC., a company formed by TWG Motorsports and General Motors, has been approved by the FIA for use in 2029. The Cadillac F1 team will become the 11th team on the grid starting in 2026 and will use Ferrari power units for the three years leading to the now approved unit from GM. Development and testing of the prototype engine will continue with plans for a dedicated facility for GM Performance Power Units closed to General Motor's Charlotte Technical Center in 2026. The approval is significant in that the Cadillac F1 effort will be wholly U.S. based by 2029. TWG Motorsports is the effort formerly headed by Michael Andretti under the Andretti Autosports umbrella. TWG Motorsports has said that they plan to have at least one American driver in the two car team. Russ O'Blenes who was named CEO of the new venture said that with approval from FIA, they would continue to accelerate efforts to bring an American-built F1 power unit to the grid. 'Over two years ago, the FIA approved the entry of an eleventh team into the FIA Formula One World Championship, guided by my vision to expand the grid and bring new talent and opportunity to our sport,' said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem adding that although the process was at times challenging – eluding to Andretti stepping aside as the head the effort and into the role of ambassador and advisor, to allow TWG Motorsports to eventually gain approval on the grid, 'the progress we see today affirms the journey has been worthwhile.' Ben Sulayem said that 'welcoming GM Performance Power Units LLC. as an approved power unit supplier for the Championship starting in 2029 marks another step in the global expansion of Formula 1 and highlights the growing interest from world-class automotive manufacturers like General Motors.' 'Their dedication to innovation, sustainability, and competition is fully aligned with the FIA's vision for the future of our sport. It also strengthens our commitment to making motorsport more accessible and inclusive worldwide—welcoming new manufacturers, advancing technology, and connecting with a broader, more diverse fan base.'

TimesLIVE
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
FIA approves GM as Formula One engine supplier from 2029
Formula One's governing body has approved GM Performance Power Units as an official engine supplier from 2029, the FIA said on Wednesday. The company has been formed by TWG Motorsports and General Motors to power the new Cadillac team that will debut next season. Cadillac will use Ferrari units until the GM engines are available. 'With this approval from the FIA, we will continue to accelerate our efforts to bring an American-built F1 power unit to the grid,' said GM Performance Power Units CEO Russ O'Blenes. The company plans to open a dedicated facility near Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2026.


The Star
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Motor racing-FIA approves GM as Formula One engine supplier from 2029
(Reuters) -Formula One's governing body has officially approved GM Performance Power Units as an official engine supplier from 2029, the FIA said on Wednesday. The company has been formed by TWG Motorsports and General Motors to power the new Cadillac team that will debut next season. Cadillac will use Ferrari units until the GM engines are available. "With this approval from the FIA, we will continue to accelerate our efforts to bring an American-built F1 power unit to the grid," said GM Performance Power Units CEO Russ O'Blenes in a statement. The company plans to open a dedicated facility near Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2026. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Christian Radnedge)


Reuters
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- Reuters
FIA approves GM as Formula One engine supplier from 2029
April 23 (Reuters) - Formula One's governing body has officially approved GM Performance Power Units as an official engine supplier from 2029, the FIA said on Wednesday. The company has been formed by TWG Motorsports and General Motors to power the new Cadillac team that will debut next season. Cadillac will use Ferrari units until the GM engines are available. "With this approval from the FIA, we will continue to accelerate our efforts to bring an American-built F1 power unit to the grid," said GM Performance Power Units CEO Russ O'Blenes in a statement. The company plans to open a dedicated facility near Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2026.