Last Updated on November 22 2024, 7:46 pm
Formula 1 to approve eleventh team: General Motors and Andretti on brink of milestone – As Formula One prepares for the final US Grand Prix of the year in Las Vegas, major developments are signalling a potential expansion of the grid. General Motors (GM), in conjunction with Andretti Global, is reportedly in advanced talks with F1 officials to secure a place on the grid for 2026.
The news, first reported by the *Associated Press*, highlights renewed momentum for the long-discussed entry of a second US-based team into Formula One.
Long road to approval
The GM-Andretti partnership has been seeking entry to Formula One for nearly two years. With the Haas F1 Team currently the only American entry, the addition of a second US-based team has been a tantalising prospect. Earlier this year, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) gave its blessing to the project, recognising its potential to enhance the sport.
However, Formula One’s commercial rights holder rejected the bid, citing doubts about Andretti’s competitiveness and overall value to the sport.
This rejection set off a chain of events that has reverberated through regulatory bodies, with the US Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission and even the FBI reportedly investigating Formula One’s decision-making process. Meanwhile, the European Union is also investigating the matter.
These external pressures, combined with strategic changes within Andretti Global and Liberty Media (F1’s parent company), appear to have shifted the dynamic in favour of the GM-Andretti project.
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The Andretti name takes a back seat
Michael Andretti, a former racing driver and key figure in the push for Formula One entry, initially led an aggressive campaign to secure a place on the grid. However, his confrontational approach reportedly alienated several existing teams and F1 officials.
In recent months, Andretti has stepped aside as the face of the project, with Dan Towriss, majority shareholder and new CEO of Andretti Global, taking the reins.
Towriss has already made his presence felt in the F1 paddock, holding crucial negotiations over the weekend at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Sources confirm that discussions are now focusing on how GM could take the lead in the venture, with the iconic American carmaker expected to take a more prominent role than Andretti in the branding and operations of the project.
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Why GM’s presence matters
GM’s involvement adds considerable credibility to the project. Formula One’s initial rejection suggested that Andretti alone might not bring enough commercial and competitive value to the series. However, the prospect of a global automotive giant like GM – especially under its Cadillac brand – entering the sport could change the equation.
The shift is in line with Formula One’s drive for greater manufacturer involvement and its increasing focus on the lucrative US market.
The timetable for the project has also become clearer. While GM is expected to produce factory engines under the Cadillac banner by 2028, plans are underway for the team to make its debut with customer engines in 2026.
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Overcoming technical and commercial hurdles
Engine supply options narrow
The lack of an in-house engine programme for the 2026 debut presents a challenge. Initially, Renault was a potential engine supplier, but with Renault’s exit from the F1 engine programme after 2026, alternative options are being explored.
Ferrari and Honda have emerged as the most likely candidates for engine supply.
Mercedes, on the other hand, appear to be out of the picture. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, a vocal sceptic of the Andretti project, reiterated his stance over the weekend in Las Vegas.
Wolff cited a lack of commitment from Andretti and questioned the team’s ability to contribute to the growth of Formula One. Despite his reservations, Wolff acknowledged that GM’s involvement could make a more compelling case.
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Building a competitive team
In preparation for a potential Formula One entry, Andretti Global has made significant investments in infrastructure and personnel. The team has opened a state-of-the-art factory in Silverstone, the heartland of Formula One engineering. It has also recruited top talent and conducted extensive testing at Toyota’s wind tunnel facility in Cologne, Germany.
These efforts demonstrate Andretti Global’s commitment to fielding a competitive team, despite the initial rejection. The financial backing and branding power of GM further enhances the viability of the project.
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Leadership changes at Liberty Media
Another factor that could make things easier for GM and Andretti is the recent resignation of Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei.
Maffei reportedly clashed with the Andretti camp during earlier negotiations. His departure could pave the way for more amicable discussions and a resolution that satisfies all parties.
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A strategic new start in Las Vegas
The Las Vegas Grand Prix has provided the perfect backdrop for renewed negotiations. Towriss and GM representatives have used the opportunity to discuss how the project can be structured to meet the commercial and competitive requirements of Formula One.
One proposed strategy is to enter as a customer team in 2026, with a long-term plan to transition to a fully-fledged factory team by 2028, when GM’s own engines are ready.
This phased approach mirrors the path taken by other manufacturers, such as Honda and Red Bull Powertrains, who have gradually expanded their role in F1.
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Wolff’s perspective on new teams
While Toto Wolff has been one of the most vocal critics of Andretti’s entry bid, his comments in Las Vegas suggest that he remains open to the idea under the right circumstances. Wolff emphasised that any new team would have to demonstrate a clear benefit to the championship, whether through financial contributions, fan engagement or technological innovation.
“If GM decides to come in as a team owner, that’s a different story,” Wolff said. “As long as it’s creative – meaning it increases the popularity of the sport and its revenue – then no team will ever be against it.”
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The road ahead for GM and Andretti
Although significant progress has been made, hurdles remain. Final approval must be obtained from Formula One’s commercial rights holder, Liberty Media, and the FIA. In addition, GM and Andretti must finalise their engine supply arrangements and secure the necessary funding to maintain a competitive operation.
If successful, the GM-Andretti project could mark a new era for Formula One, with an iconic American brand joining the grid and expanding the sport’s presence in the US market.
As discussions continue over the weekend at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, fans and stakeholders alike are eagerly awaiting an official announcement that could cement the eleventh team’s place in Formula One history.
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