Cadillac F1 chief Dan Towriss says the workforce is not going to be “just grabbing” any American driver as they put together to hitch the Method 1 grid in 2026.
It was confirmed in November 2024 that the Cadillac bid – from US automobile big Common Motors and US group TWG International – had gained approval from Method 1.
Given a significant factor behind the workforce’s admission to the game is their perceived capacity to develop F1’s reputation in the US, it’s extensively anticipated that they are going to signal at the very least one American driver for his or her debut marketing campaign.
Towriss, talking as TWG launched a motorsports arm that he’ll lead, says he’s eager to search out an American driver for the workforce however {that a} “proper” course of will likely be adopted.
He advised Sky Sports activities Information: “I feel we’d like to see an American driver in Method 1 however we definitely need to make certain we do it the precise method.
“I think it’s crucially important that that person is set up for success. It won’t be a process of just grabbing an American and sticking him behind the wheel. We want to do it proper, and so more to come on that.”
America has a protracted historical past of drivers in F1 however has not produced many lately, with Logan Sargeant shedding his seat halfway by 2024 after failing to indicate indicators of enchancment throughout his second season at Williams.
With a return to the grid for Sargeant unlikely, any American signing would lack F1 expertise, which Towriss admits imply they might be in search of knowhow of their different seat.
He mentioned: “Certainly I think an experienced driver is crucial for setting up a new team from that standpoint, so we’re definitely looking at bringing some experience to the driver tandem.
“There are a selection of American drivers who’ve expertise within the decrease Method sequence. In order that’s not Method 1 however there are drivers that know the tracks and have been within the decrease Method sequence, grew up there.
“So, we’ll work on that and we’ll see what comes up.”
Towriss has been an instrumental determine within the Cadillac workforce’s path to F1, together with his substitute of Michael Andretti final September because the bid’s figurehead showing to be a significant factor.
Simply 10 months earlier than approving the Cadillac entry, Method 1 had rejected what was basically the identical workforce’s tried entry whereas it was led by Andretti and beneath the identify of his eponymous workforce.
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Sky Sports activities Information’ Craig Slater defined in November why the bid was on the verge of being accepted
Explaining his position, Towriss mentioned: “I think there was a lot of work behind the scenes you know and really just helping Formula 1 understand, helping Liberty Media understand just what the offering was from that standpoint.
“I feel there was definitely some confusion about statements remodeled a time period and so as soon as it grew to become clear that it was the Cadillac F1 workforce, they noticed that we had been bringing worth to the sequence.
“I think they recognised that and we were able to come to terms on the role for a new team in Formula 1 and so we’re pretty excited about that.
“However yeah, quite a bit modified once we sort of pivoted from the previous course and I assume the remainder is historical past as they are saying. “
Towriss to lead TWG Motorsports division
The Cadillac F1 team will be able to call upon the experience of several top squads from US racing series, following the launch of the Towriss-led TWG Motorsports.
The extension of TWG Global, a group which has stakes in Premier League side Chelsea, MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers and the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, will include Cadillac F1 along with the likes of Andretti Global, who compete in Indycar and Formula E.
A TWG statement said: “TWG International at the moment broadcasts the launch of TWG Motorsports, a brand new division created to convey collectively a portfolio of main motorsports organisations to drive aggressive excellence, ingenuity, and business innovation throughout the globe, with the purpose of difficult on the very prime of the game.”
Dan Towriss will lead the TWG Motorsports division
TWG International co-chair Mark Walter added: “Dan has been instrumental in forming the landmark Cadillac Formula 1 team in partnership with General Motors and acquiring for TWG Global a broad racing portfolio that includes Andretti Global, Wayne Taylor Racing, and Spire Motorsports.”
Towriss says that the brand new F1 entry will use TWG’s expertise throughout motorsport – and different sports activities – to make sure that they bring about one thing new and thrilling to the grid.
He mentioned: “I think the thing I’m most excited about with Cadillac with General Motors, is the partnership, the collaboration that we have across the teams to really compare and delve into our collective experiences.
“We actually need to convey one thing new to the Method 1 world. You should not anticipate a cookie cutter Method 1 workforce from this new Cadillac F1 workforce.
“It’s a new team, so there’s going to be a lot to see. I’m sure there’ll even be some carnage along the way, in looking at a new team.
“We will have quite a bit to supply and we will be interested by this on the worldwide scale that’s Method 1 and never simply targeted on the US.”
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