Formula 1 expands the grid as General Motors and becomes the eleventh team in 2026
Formula 1 announced on Monday that “an agreement in principle” has been reached “with General Motors to support the introduction of GM/Cadillac” as the sport’s eleventh team in 2026.
“We are excited to be working with General Motors to bring a dynamic presence to Formula 1,” said Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Global’s motorsports division. “Together, we are assembling a world-class team that will embody American innovation and deliver unforgettable moments to racing fans around the world. We appreciate the support of the FIA and FOM for our application and their recognition of the value we can add to the championship.”
“General Motors and Cadillac’s commitment to this project is an important and positive demonstration of the evolution of our sport,” said F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali. We look forward to the progress and growth of this entry, assured of the full cooperation and support of all parties involved.”
This comes after news emerged during the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend that General Motors was nearing approval to join the grid in 2026. Andretti Global initially made the offer, with GM building its power unit in 2028, but F1 rejected it. Still, the project continued.
Andretti recently underwent a restructuring, with Michael Andretti leaving his operational role and Dan Towriss taking the helm.
It appeared the grid would be open to welcoming GM, based on comments made during Thursday’s press conference. Mercedes’ Toto Wolff said: “We have an obligation, a legal obligation as directors to put forward the position that is best for our company and for our employees, and we have done that in the past. I think if a team can add to the championship, especially if GM decides to step in as team owner, that’s a different story. And as long as it’s creative, which means we grow the popularity of the sport, we grow the revenue of the sport, no team will ever be against it. So that’s where I’m pinning my hopes.”
What it means
A prominent American manufacturer with an extensive motorsport history joining the grid could bring a fresh perspective to the sport, but it also means the prize money will be spread even further. This will be the first team to join the grid since Haas in 2016, and the sport has had ten teams on the grid since 2017. F1 has previously said it was open to a GM factory team. When F1 rejected Andretti’s big one, Formula 1 said it would “look different in an application for the participation of a team in the 2028 championship with a GM power unit, either as a GM works team or as a GM customer team that designs all permitted components. house.”
However, GM needs a different customer engine. The plan was to have its F1 engine ready in 2028, two years after the new regulations. New teams that appear at the start have to add something, which GM does by becoming an engine manufacturer.
The plan is still for GM to enter through its Cadillac brand. According to F1’s press release, they have achieved operational milestones over the course of this year and made clear their commitment to rename the eleventh team GM/Cadillac, with GM joining as an engine supplier at a later date.
There will still be Andretti involvement, although how much remains to be seen. GM’s announcement includes the news that Mario Andretti, the last American F1 world champion, will join the team’s board as director.
“My first love was Formula 1, and now – 70 years later – the F1 paddock is still my happy place. I am absolutely happy with Cadillac, Formula 1, Mark Walter and Dan Towriss,” said Andretti in the announcement. “To still be involved at this stage of my life, I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.”
According to GM’s press release, the other power player involved is TWG Global, a holding company that “owns and operates” Andretti Global. As for the Justice Department’s investigation into F1’s rejection of Andretti, it remains to be seen what will happen.
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(Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images)
