TWG Motorsports, which owns Andretti Global, Wayne Taylor Racing, Spire Motorsports and founded the Cadillac F1 team with General Motors, has announced the formation of GM Performance Power Units LLC, a new company that it says will put Cadillac on the path to being a “full works” team – building Formula 1 vehicles and power units – by the end of the decade.
Industry veteran Russ O’Blenes has been named CEO of the new venture, which will build powertrains for the Cadillac Formula 1 team, though the team will start competing with Ferrari powertrains when the program hits the track in 2026.
With more than 30 years of motor racing engineering experience, O’Blenes is currently director of the GM Motorsports propulsion and performance team. “We’re delighted to welcome Russ to this pivotal role,” said Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports. “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.”
O’Blenes’ career includes powertrain development for championship racing teams and award-winning production vehicles. He also led the development of the GM Performance and Racing Center in Pontiac, Michigan, and the commercialization of the brand’s eCrate initiative for performance car builders and EV enthusiasts.
“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,” said GM president Mark 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.”
According to GM, development and testing of the team’s Formula 1 prototype engine technology is already underway. Plans are in place to open a dedicated facility for Performance Power Units LLC near GM’s Charlotte Technical Center in 2026.
“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. “GM PPU is currently ramping up its team and is hiring in all areas of the business.”