After lengthy negotiations, Formula 1 has cleared the way for General Motors subsidiary Cadillac to join the grid as 11th team in 2026.
Formula 1 organisers have announced that they reached an “agreement in principle” with US car manufacturer Cadillac about a start in the racing series.
Cadillac will initially manufacture its own engines, with the aim of General Motors entering as an engine supplier in 2028.
The US project had expanded a racing factory in Silverstone (UK) and hired experienced engineers. Ferrari and Honda are the main potential engine suppliers for the team from 2026.
The current ten racing teams as well as the Formula 1 initially resisted an expansion of the starting grid as they did not want to share the revenue. As a result, the Formula 1 top management rejected ex-racing driver Michael Andretti’s original bid to join the grid, at the beginning of the year.
However, now that General Motors has increased its interest and a new majority owner is behind the project, the Formula 1 management gave green light for the entry. The statement made reference to TWG Global as GM’s F1 partner – the company which controls the American motorsports operation under new chief executive Dan Towriss after founder Michael Andretti stepped back from day-to-day control.
A reason for the rapid progression of talks was Michael Andretti’s departure, after damaging relationships with F1 representatives by trying to force his team onto the grid. GM confirmed that Michael’s father, and 1978 F1 world champion, Mario Andretti remained involved in the project and would serve as a director on the team’s board.
FIA is “fully supportive” of GM entry
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who long advocated the acceptance of an 11th team, said that the governing body is “fully supportive” of General Motors’ 2026 F1 entry. “{It} is a huge global brand and powerhouse in the OEM world and is working with impressive partners.”
Since rejecting Andretti’s original application at the start of the year, F1 said it had “maintained a dialogue with General Motors, and its partners at TWG Global, regarding the viability of an entry”. They are also “pleased to move forward with the application process.”
Mark Reuss, president of GM, stated: “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.”
In recent years, Formula 1 became significantly more popular in the United States with three U.S. Grand Prix now featured each season in Las Vegas (Nevada), Austin (Texas), and Miami (Florida). The involvement of GM as a new car manufacturer would increase this influence and bring “additional value and interest in our sport”, said Greg Maffei, head of Formula 1.