Cadillac F1 is set to become the newest American-licensed team in Formula 1 starting in 2026, joining the current American-licensed team Haas on the grid. This development prompts a closer look at the American F1 teams race wins history to understand their past achievements and the impact they have made in the sport.
Since the inception of Formula 1 in 1950, only a handful of teams have competed under the American license. Teams such as Scarab, All American Racers, and Penske have represented the United States in F1, though their number remains limited. Despite this scarcity, American teams have recorded notable victories, illustrating their occasional but significant presence in the sport.
Dan Gurney’s All American Racers and the 1967 Belgian Grand Prix Triumph
Dan Gurney, a legendary figure in American motorsports, established All American Racers in 1966, drawing inspiration from his tenure with Jack Brabham. Based primarily in Santa Ana, California, with additional facilities in the United Kingdom, the team faced reliability issues during its debut season, largely due to the Weslake V12 engine. Nevertheless, they persevered into 1967 with the same setup.
While the 1967 season was again challenged by mechanical troubles—with Gurney retiring from nine of eleven races he contested—the team managed to secure a remarkable victory at the Belgian Grand Prix. Gurney outpaced established drivers such as BRM’s Jackie Stewart and Ferrari’s Chris Amon to clinch first place. This win stands as a significant milestone in American F1 teams race wins history.
Despite competing only sporadically in Formula 1, with their final appearance at the 1969 Canadian Grand Prix, All American Racers made a lasting impression through this accomplishment.
Roger Penske’s 1976 Austrian Grand Prix Win and American Presence in F1
Roger Penske, renowned for his success in IndyCar, ventured into Formula 1 as a constructor in 1975. Operating out of a workshop previously used by Graham McRae in the UK, Penske entered the sport with drivers Mark Donohue and John Watson. The initial Penske PC1 car, powered by a Ford Cosworth engine, fell short of competitiveness.
Tragically, Mark Donohue lost his life after a tire failure during practice at the 1975 Austrian Grand Prix. However, the team refined their approach with the PC3 and PC4 models, which proved significantly better. John Watson piloted the Penske PC4 to victory at the 1976 Austrian Grand Prix, marking the last race win by a team competing under the American license to date.
Since then, several American-licensed teams—including Vel’s Parnelli Jones, Beatrice Haas, and the current Haas F1 team—have participated in Formula 1 without securing a race win, underlining the difficulty American teams face in achieving top results in the series.
Shadow Racing’s Transition from an American to British License before Their Maiden F1 Win
Shadow Racing entered Formula 1 in 1973 competing under the American license, but switched to a British license in 1976 prior to winning their first Grand Prix. Their maiden victory came at the 1977 Austrian Grand Prix, but due to the license change, this success is not attributed to American-licensed teams in the record books. This example highlights the challenges in categorizing wins within the context of licensing and national identity in Formula 1.
The Ongoing Quest for American Success in Formula 1
With Cadillac preparing for its Formula 1 debut in 2026, alongside the continued presence of Haas Racing, American teams have a renewed opportunity to leave their mark on the championship. Historically, while American participation in Formula 1 has been comparatively rare, the victories achieved by All American Racers and Penske remain key highlights within American motorsport heritage.
As the sport grows increasingly competitive and global, the efforts of American teams to return to winning form will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike. These upcoming entries may redefine the American footprint within Formula 1’s evolving landscape, potentially ushering in new chapters of success.