$57 billion carmaker reportedly set to join F1 after Andretti’s failed entry
Following Michael Andretti's step-down as the CEO of Andretti Global, General Motors have resurrected the rejected F1 bid of the team.
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A representative image for Andretti-Cadillac (Via Sky Sports F1)
Andretti-Cadillac faced a stern rejection to join the Formula 1 grid as the 11th team. Multiple individuals advised Michael Andretti and Co. to purchase an existing team. The team stayed loyal to General Motors and Cadillac and swore to join as an independent team. However, following the rejection, GM is looking to join the Formula 1 grid by the 2026 season.
Andretti continued to fight for approval of the rejected bid following the US Congress’s intervention into the matter. The team also built a facility in Silverstone to move their motion forward. However, Michael Andretti recently stepped down as CEO of Andretti Global and appointed Dan Towris as the leader. As a result, the rejected bid resurrected with the team once again trying to gain approval.
General Motors looks highly hopeful of joining the Formula 1 grid by the 2026 season. If the bid gets approved, the American giant is set to occupy Andretti’s existing Silverstone factory. Moreover, the team has also already appointed multiple crew members in the Toyota’s wind tunnel if the bid gets approved soon.
?| GM Closing in on 2026 F1 Entry After Andretti Exit:
— This is Formula 1 (@ThisIsFormu1a1) November 22, 2024
— General Motors (GM) is advancing discussions with Formula 1 to join the championship as an 11th team in 2026, possibly under the Cadillac brand.
— GM’s initial bid was in partnership with Andretti Global. While it was… pic.twitter.com/KNOxUYYGEg
General Motors likely not to join as an OEM until at least 2028
The massive automobile manufacturer might not create their own power units if they join the grid by the 2026 season. General Motors will need at least customer engines for at least two years following their entry. Hence, amidst the ongoing talk about GM’s arrival, Ferrari and Honda have come up as the two possible engine providers to the team.
The American government, mainly the Department of Justice has interfered in the matter and is looking at the documents carefully. The agency will continue to back the all-American constructor amidst their bid to join Formula 1. Hence, the coming times will be extremely interesting to witness as the General Motors project moves forward in the pinnacle of motorsport.
General Motors' bid to enter F1 has picked up momentum, talks between F1 and GM are understood to be at an advanced stage for a 2026 entry as an 11th team ? pic.twitter.com/TLIqVlVtcc
— Motorsport.com (@Motorsport) November 22, 2024
The inclusion of an 11th team on the grid, effectively increasing total drivers to 22 would be an interesting change. More than ten teams have already participated in Formula 1 as it wouldn’t entail a massive change in the future. Time will tell about how FIA and FOM decided the fate of General Motors as the bid looks highly enticing currently.
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Aditya Pandya
(1440 Articles Published)