Momentum building behind GM F1 entry

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emailBy Chris Medland | November 22, 2024 3:49 AM ET

Formula 1 is looking increasingly likely to expand to 11 teams in 2026 as momentum builds behind a General Motors works entry.

The initial Andretti Global project that involved GM through its Cadillac brand was denied a spot on the grid amid uncertainty over its future power unit plans, with a Renault customer deal having been lined up until a potential GM power unit could be produced. Explaining its decision at the start of this year, F1 stated it was open to expansion in 2028 should GM commit to its power unit project.

Michael Andretti stepped down from the CEO role at Andretti Global last month and RACER understands that has brought a greater influence from GM around the F1 project, with a works entry now a real possibility.

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Although it is unclear what the power unit supply situation would be for the first two years of the project, sources indicate there are likely to be further discussions regarding the team being approved as a new entrant from 2026. An announcement relating to the next steps could come as early as the end of this month.

The GM-backed team has been pushing ahead with development of a car for 2026 at a satellite facility in Silverstone, and is confident it would be ready to join the grid in just over a year’s time should it get confirmation. It already had approval from the FIA that it met all of the criteria it set out for a new entrant; the governing body having assessed potential expansion teams a year ago.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said on Thursday that a full GM entry would be more attractive than the previous Andretti plan, and insisted that the teams do not have the power to block such a decision.

“I think if a team can add to the championship, particularly if GM decides to come in as a team owner, that is a different story,” Wolff said. “And as long as it is accretive, that means we’re growing the popularity of the sport, we’re growing the revenue of the sport, then no team will be ever against it.