LAS VEGAS (AP) — On Monday, Formula 1 announced plans to expand its grid in 2026, making way for an American team partnered with General Motors, a significant development for the sport.
“It’s a remarkable opportunity for General Motors and Cadillac to participate in the world’s leading racing series. We are dedicated to competing with integrity and enthusiasm that boosts the sport’s profile for fans globally,” said GM President Mark Reuss. “This platform allows us to showcase GM’s engineering innovation and technological prowess on an unprecedented scale.”
After years of negotiations and discussions, culminating in a U.S. Justice Department investigation into the initial refusal by Liberty Media, the commercial rights holder of F1, to approve a team spearheaded by Michael Andretti, this approval finally brings clarity to the situation.
Michael Andretti stepped down from leading his team in September, allowing the new team to be called Cadillac F1, managed by Dan Towriss and Mark Walter, who are the majority owners of Andretti Global. The team plans to use Ferrari engines for its first two seasons until they can field a Cadillac engine in time for the 2028 season.
Towriss, who is the CEO and president of Group 1001, began his motorsports journey with Andretti’s IndyCar team by signing financial savings platform Gainbridge as a sponsor. Now, he holds ownership stakes in multiple racing teams, including Spire Motorsports’ NASCAR team and Wayne Taylor Racing’s sports car team.
Walter is the CEO of Guggenheim Partners and the controlling owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the World Series champions, and Premier League club Chelsea, adding significant experience and influence to the new team.
Mario Andretti, the legendary F1 champion from 1978, will serve as an ambassador for Cadillac F1, although his son Michael will have no formal role in the organization after reducing his involvement with Andretti Global.
“I am proud of the committed team working to establish an American works team,” posted Michael Andretti on his social media. “Congratulations to everyone involved in this historic next chapter. I’ll be rooting for you!”
The approval for this expansion has been in the making for several weeks, strategically timed to follow last weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix to ensure it didn’t overshadow this flagship event in Liberty Media’s portfolio. Max Verstappen successfully claimed his fourth consecutive championship during that race, which was the final stop in the U.S. for this season’s top global racing series.
Expanding the F1 grid is a rare occurrence and often faces challenges. In 2010, four teams were granted entries that were expected to raise the total to 13, but by 2017, only one of those teams remained on the grid.
Currently, only one American team exists in F1, owned by Gene Haas. However, it has struggled to be competitive and does not field American drivers. Andretti’s vision was to create a truly American team led by American drivers.
The battle to add this new team has persisted for over three years, facing stiff resistance. Although Andretti’s application received approval from the FIA, F1 was initially reluctant, largely due to opposition from the current 10 teams, fearing dilution of prize money and the value of their past investments.
Previously, Andretti attempted to purchase the existing Sauber team in 2020 but was unsuccessful. Subsequently, he sought to expand the grid and partnered with GM, the top-selling manufacturer in the U.S. The FIA’s support for this partnership was significant, with President Mohammed Ben Sulayem endorsing Andretti’s proposal, noting it was the only one of seven applications that met all criteria for grid expansion.
“General Motors represents a massive global brand and a powerhouse in the automotive industry,” Ben Sulayem stated. “I am fully in favor of the collaborative efforts between the FIA, Formula 1, GM, and the team to achieve this agreement and further progress on this application.”
Despite initial reluctance towards Andretti, F1 was keen to partner with GM and even asked GM to explore collaborations with other teams. However, GM stood firm, leading F1 to revisit Andretti’s application once Cadillac was prepared to provide a competitive engine.
“Formula 1 has kept communication open with General Motors and its partners at TWG Global regarding their ability to join the sport,” F1 stated. “They have made operational advancements this year and have shown their dedication to establishing the 11th team as GM/Cadillac, anticipating their entry as an engine supplier at a later date.”
The conversation surrounding grid expansion shifted further with the recent announcement of Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei’s resignation, who was perceived as a major opponent of adding Andretti’s team. “Welcoming a prestigious American brand like GM/Cadillac to the grid will undoubtedly enhance the sport’s value and engagement in the U.S.,” Maffei commented. “We commend GM and its partners for their considerable strides in preparing for their Formula 1 entry.”
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