The ‘Drive to Survive Revolution’ is something for the sporting history books, especially the unimaginable impact it has had in introducing and charming the American audience to the world of F1. It all began when Liberty Media acquired Formula One’s commercial rights through FOM in 2017.
The sport has undergone a noticeable shift, one strongly shaped by American influence. What was once a championship with a limited foothold in the United States has transformed into a product deeply embedded in US culture, commerce, and media. And now two American giants are set to go head-to-head.
Cadillac vs. Ford: Formula 1’s American Battle
Evolving from the original Andretti project and approved by the FIA, Cadillac marks General Motors’ first full-scale assault on the Formula 1 Championship. For GM, the challenge will be formidable, lining up against established giants such as Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren.
Yet another familiar adversary waits on the grid, one with decades of rivalry etched into American automotive history. Ford, GM’s most enduring competitor, will also play a role in this new era, setting the stage for a transatlantic rivalry to spill onto motorsport’s biggest stage.
When Cadillac Formula 1 team principal Graeme Lowdon was asked if the needle between the two US giants was good for the sport, he replied: “There’s been a healthy rivalry between GM and Ford for years and years. They’ve even made a Hollywood movie about it. So, it’s real, and it’s there.”
“We’re taking a very different approach. GM has ownership in our team, so that’s quite a different approach, as far as I know, from how Ford is approaching it. But we have GM DNA throughout the team because they’re part owners.”
“I’m sure that rivalry will continue. We’ve seen many times in Formula 1, the fans actually like to see some rivalry, as long as it doesn’t go too far, obviously. So, I think it’s just another layer of interest in Formula 1.”
F1’s advent in America has expanded from hosting just one race on American soil in 2017 to three by 2024. Team liveries and driver suits are now packed with branding from major US corporations, while television broadcast deals in the United States have reached record-breaking values for the championship.
Alongside this commercial growth, American audiences have embraced the sport at an unprecedented rate, turning F1 into a mainstream attraction rather than a niche curiosity. And now they are spoilt for options as to which side to pick!
