F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali hails 2026 F1 engine rules as key to bringing in Cadillac and Audi

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has championed the direction of the new set of regulations in 2026 to  attract brands such as Cadillac and Ford to the series.

The 2026 season welcomes a new wave of regulations and features a power unit with a 50:50 split between internal combustion engine power using sustainable fuel and electric power, which is relevant to the wider automotive market.

There are a few new additions to the paddock this year. Cadillac has joined as the 11th team, Ford has partnered with Red Bull Powertrains and Audi has taken over Sauber.

"Well, it’s very exciting," Domenicali told F1.com when asked how excited he was for the General Motors-owned team to join the grid. "Cadillac is one of the most important manufacturers in the world. They're going to invest a lot.

"They're going to bring new energy, and I believe that’s related to the fact that we have taken the right technical decision with regard to the regulations.

"There is a big interest in what we are doing, keeping advanced sustainable fuels at the centre of the future power unit."

The F1 chief went on to claim that the power unit was not only a pull for Cadillac, but also for Audi and Honda, the latter of which has started a new partnership with Aston Martin after parting ways with Red Bull at the end of 2025.

Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali

Photo by: Andrea Diodato / NurPhoto via Getty Images

"The powertrain has been relevant not only to attract Cadillac, but we have Audi, we have Honda. So it's a great moment for all of us," he added.

"F1 has been always at the forefront of innovation, future connectivity, attraction, attention and therefore that's what we are doing. That's why I do believe today F1 has never been so strong."

Speaking about the regulations specifically, Domenicali said: "As always, when we introduce new regulations, it’s a great moment for our world, because it’s exciting, and it brings attention at a level from the technical perspective. That’s the nature of when there is something new.

"There’s hundreds of engineers striving for the best, and this will have a benefit also out of the Formula 1 world.

"There’s the interest from the drivers, because they need to understand how to drive a new car, and then the teams need to understand how to set up the car in the best way, so it’s a fascinating moment, and it accelerates the interest, as everyone is looking forward to the 2026 regulations."