F1 has officially confirmed that it has opened the door for a GM/Cadillac entry to join the grid in 2026 as the 11th team.
Significantly there is no mention of the Andretti name in the F1 statement, with the entire focus on the involvement of GM. However Mario Andretti will serve on the board of directors of the team.
Having gained FIA entry approval the project was originally rejected by F1 in January, despite the plans to have GM branding in 2026 and a full works power unit by 2028 already being in place.
However after a stand-off between the two parties F1 has changed its stance on the basis that the team has full works identity.
In recent months F1 has been dealing not with Michael Andretti – who has stepped out of the picture – but with Dan Towriss, who is an owner of the Andretti team through his TWG Global organisation.
The team will have to use a customer PU for at least its first two seasons. The original plan was to partner with Renault, but the Viry project has been shut down by the French manufacturer.
The rules oblige Honda to provide a supply as it currently only has one team for 2026, while Ferrari will also have capacity, having lost Sauber.
GM’s own PU will be built at Charlotte. The company tried to acquire the IP of the abandoned Renault project, but its attempt was blocked by Renault’s top management.
However it intends to hire former Viry F1 staff who are willing to work in the USA in order to help progress what will be a US project – and has already started the recruitment process in Paris.
A statement said: “Formula 1 announced today that it has reached an agreement in principle with General Motors (GM) to support bringing GM/Cadillac as the eleventh team to the F1 grid in 2026. Formula 1 has maintained a dialogue with General Motors, and its partners at TWG Global, regarding the viability of an entry following the commercial assessment and decision made by Formula 1 in January 2024.
“Over the course of this year, they have achieved operational milestones and made clear their commitment to brand the eleventh team GM/Cadillac, and that GM will enter as an engine supplier at a later time. Formula 1 is therefore pleased to move forward with this application process and will provide further updates in due course.”
Stefano Domenicali said: “General Motors and Cadillac’s commitment to this project is an important and positive demonstration of the evolution of our sport. We look forward to seeing the progress and growth of this entry, certain of the full collaboration and support of all the parties involved.”
GM made clear that this is an important project for the company.
“As the pinnacle of motorsports, F1 demands boundary-pushing innovation and excellence,” said GM President Mark Reuss. “It’s an honour for General Motors and Cadillac to join the world’s premier racing series, and we’re committed to competing with passion and integrity to elevate the sport for race fans around the world.
“This is a global stage for us to demonstrate GM’s engineering expertise and technology leadership at an entirely new level.”
While the F1 statement made no mention of the Andretti name GM confirmed that Mario Andretti will serve on the board of the team.
“My first love was Formula 1 and now – 70 years later – the F1 paddock is still my happy place,” said the 1978 World Champion. “To still be involved at this stage of my life — I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.”
Adam Cooper F1 