The Cadillac Formula 1 Team has secured 3M as its Official Material Science Partner in a multi-year global deal that will see the industrial giant’s scientists and engineers embedded in the rookie squad’s car development and trackside operations.
The partnership, announced jointly from St. Paul, Minnesota, and Indianapolis, Indiana, pairs two American companies in a collaboration centered on lightweight materials, bonding and surface preparation, manufacturing optimization, laboratory testing, and real-time trackside support. In a sport where fractions of a second separate success from failure, the arrangement gives the 2026 grid newcomer access to 3M’s vast technology portfolio and more than a century of automotive experience.
“At 3M, we apply science and manufacturing expertise to help solve complex challenges,” said William Brown, 3M chairman and CEO. “This partnership demonstrates how 3M technologies can drive results in a highly demanding environment by advancing speed, efficiency and performance.”
Tyler Epp, Global Head of Commercial Strategy for the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, framed the deal as a competitive necessity. “We’re proud to welcome 3M to the Cadillac Formula 1 Team,” Epp said. “They share our belief that championships are won in the details, and their materials and R&D will help us compete where the margins matter most.”
The scope of the partnership extends beyond immediate race performance. 3M will use the Formula 1 environment as a high-speed validation laboratory, testing materials under extreme conditions and accelerating product development cycles. Solutions proven on track can then be scaled across global automotive manufacturers, feeding advancements into next-generation road vehicles. The Cadillac team, meanwhile, will tap 3M’s research and development capabilities to explore chassis development, advanced materials research, and other technical applications aimed at long-term performance gains.
Commercially, 3M gains brand visibility through car and team branding on the global Formula 1 platform. Excel Sports Management, the agency of record for the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, facilitated the partnership discussions between the two parties.
Formed by TWG Motorsports and General Motors, the Cadillac Formula 1 Team made its championship debut this season and operates out of facilities in Indianapolis, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Silverstone, England. The 3M deal adds another layer of technical infrastructure to a team still building its competitive foundation from the ground up as it seeks to establish itself among Formula 1’s established constructors.