On Monday, Formula 1 declared that it had authorized GM and Cadillac to join the grid as a new team, bringing a legendary American automaker to the highest level of motorsport.
With the entry of the legendary American automaker, the announcement, which is a part of an application started by racing team Andretti Global, upends the Formula One globe and may help the rapidly expanding U.S. market. It follows the Las Vegas Grand Prix by two days.
In a statement, Formula 1 announced that it and General Motors (GM) had struck a preliminary agreement to facilitate the addition of GM/Cadillac as the eleventh team to the Formula 1 grid in 2026.
The highly anticipated ruling comes after a year-long drama and tense situation within Formula One. Andretti Global applied to join the grid and was approved by the sport’s governing body, the FIA, but was turned down by the commercial side of the sport, owned by Liberty Media, which questioned whether Andretti would be competitive or add enough value to the sport.
However, a breakthrough resulted from GM’s further pledge to form a team that would create both a car and a power unit.
Following its commercial review and decision in January 2024, Formula 1 has continued to discuss the feasibility of an entry with General Motors and its partners at TWG Global, which now owns Andretti Global, the company stated in a statement. They have reached operational milestones this year and have stated that they would brand the eleventh team GM/Cadillac and that GM will eventually join as an engine supplier. As a result, Formula 1 is happy to proceed with this application procedure and will give more information as it becomes available.
Without giving a specific year, GM stated in a statement that it would construct its own power unit by the end of the decade.
F1 requires innovation and brilliance that pushes boundaries. “Joining the world’s top racing series is an honor for General Motors and Cadillac, and we’re dedicated to competing with passion and integrity to elevate the sport for race fans worldwide,” stated GM President Mark Reuss. We have the opportunity to showcase GM’s engineering prowess and technological superiority on a global scale.
The patriarch of the Andretti racing dynasty and a former Formula One winner, Mario Andretti, will be a director on the team’s board.
Seventy years after my first love, the Formula 1 paddock remains my happy spot. In a statement, Andretti said, “I’m ecstatic with Cadillac, Formula 1, Mark Walter, and Dan Towriss.” I have to check myself to make sure I’m not dreaming that I’m still involved at this point in my life.
The story turned political when Andretti visited Washington, D.C., last spring at the request of politicians. Following claims that Liberty Media excluded a U.S. team in order to shield the primarily European clubs from competition, the Justice Department launched an investigation into Liberty Media for possible antitrust violations within a few months.
This maneuver might cause that probe to fizzle.
Federal enforcers will likely be able to terminate their case and concentrate on other matters if Andretti and GM have reached an agreement to join the Formula 1 grid, according to antitrust expert Daniel Francis, a professor at NYU School of Law. The best investigations are sometimes the ones that end on their own, benefiting consumers and allowing law enforcement to focus their resources elsewhere.
F1 will have more than ten teams on the field for the first time since 2016. American Gene Haas owns one of those current teams, Haas F1, which has its main office in North Carolina. However, American fans are less familiar with the squad, which has a Ferrari engine.
Each team consists of two drivers, and junior drivers will appreciate the GM-Cadillac seats being added to the field. As older veterans are remaining longer and those who bring sponsorship money gain an advantage, many have encountered obstacles when attempting to enter into a sport, even when they have demonstrated their aptitude.
Young drivers, in my opinion, would undoubtedly vote for a different team. In an interview, RB driver Liam Lawson stated that he wants to guarantee his spot for the upcoming season.
A seat can also be of appeal to some seasoned drivers.
After the race in Las Vegas on Saturday, NBC News asked 10-time race winner and departing Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas if he would be interested in a 2026 position at Cadillac F1.
Indeed. “Maybe,” Bottas said.
The action sets up a Formula 1 matchup between two American auto giants, Ford and GM. Beginning in 2026, Ford and Red Bull will collaborate to construct the team’s power unit.
It was the talk of the paddock at the Las Vegas Grand Prix as speculation about the possible transaction spread.
Christian Horner, the Red Bull team principal, stated on Sky Sports F1 that a matchup between Ford and GM might be quite interesting.
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