Cadillac-Ferrari F1 deal could extend to suspension

Cadillac is evaluating whether to source suspension parts from Ferrari after completing a deal for power unit and gearbox ahead of its Formula 1 debut in 2026.

The American team could expand its collaboration with Maranello to include the supply of suspension. This would mean that it would use a similar concept to another US squad’s, as Haas has been following this path since it joined the grid in 2016.

For now there is no official confirmation, but the deal, in addition to securing a high-level technical base for development, would allow the outfit to invest in other areas of research and, most importantly, to find the necessary personnel to run two cars in 2026.

Multiple teams on the grid source suspension from elsewhere. Apart from Haas, Racing Bulls has a similar deal with sister squad Red Bull, while Aston Martin also receives the complete rear end from Mercedes.

Having received approval to become the 11th team on the grid next year, Cadillac is already a thorn in the side of the teams running at the back of the grid.

It enjoys several advantages in the design and build of its first F1 car, as it faces fewer regulatory constraints in the use of wind tunnel and CFD research than the 10 teams that already are on the grid.

Although it must comply with the 2025 budget cap rules, as stated in Article 10 of F1’s financial regulations, Cadillac will be able to count on 115 per cent of the wind tunnel time compared to the standard base – just like tenth-placed Sauber.

Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Cadillac’s grand prix preparations are now being watched closely. While its rivals will have to split the time in the wind tunnel between two different cars based on two different rulesets, the new team can devote the entirety of its resources to its 2026 machine.

General Motors announcement

Photo by: General Motors

With the FIA ​​deciding to tighten the rules on front wing flex from the Spanish GP in early June, even teams that had planned to divert resources – including staff – to the 2026 project will be forced to review their plans to adapt the current cars to the new and more stringent verification criteria. TWG, meanwhile, will have greater freedom of action as it does not have to worry about running or adapting a 2025 car to changing rules.

Cadillac relies on one of Toyota's two wind tunnels in Cologne, where former F1 consultant Pat Symonds laid the foundations to develop the car’s aerodynamics around Ferrari's power unit and gearbox. 

The Scuderia will supply the power unit to the team until General Motors is able to build its own engine by the end of the decade. The partnership with the Prancing Horse is strategic in making a strong entry into F1 with a new and inexperienced line-up, although the team has been building a group of experienced personnel who know F1 well.