Method 1 has agreed a deal in precept with Common Motors and its Cadillac model to enter the collection in 2026 as an eleventh crew.
The deal will see the GM-supported outfit be part of as a buyer crew in 2026, whereas growing its personal in-house energy items for 2028 and past, utilizing the present Andretti World undertaking in Silverstone as its spine.
In an announcement on Monday, F1 confirmed that GM/Cadillac and the collection have agreed a deal in precept for it to affix its ranks in 2026.
“With Method 1’s continued progress plans within the US, we’ve got at all times believed that welcoming a formidable US model like GM/Cadillac to the grid and GM as a future energy unit provider may carry extra worth and curiosity to the game,” stated outgoing Liberty media CEO and president Greg Maffei.
“We credit score the management of Common Motors and their companions with important progress of their readiness to enter Method 1. We’re excited to maneuver ahead with the appliance course of for the GM/Cadillac crew to enter the Championship in 2026.”
GM’s president Mark Reuss added: “As the top of motorsports, F1 calls for boundary-pushing innovation and excellence. It’s an honour for Common Motors and Cadillac to affix the world’s premier racing collection, and we’re dedicated to competing with ardour and integrity to raise the game for race followers world wide. It is a world stage for us to show GM’s engineering experience and know-how management at a wholly new stage.”
Greg Maffei, CEO, Liberty Media Company
Photograph by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Pictures
GM officers had been in attendance on the Las Vegas Grand Prix to debate a take care of F1 and Liberty Media over an entry as an eleventh growth crew as early as 2026.
The American producer had lengthy been working with Andretti World on a potential F1 bid, which was accepted by the governing physique the FIA however refused entry by F1 itself as a result of the bid wasn’t deemed so as to add sufficient worth to the collection.
There had additionally been stress between the organisation’s figurehead Michael Andretti and F1 executives over Andretti’s aggressive campaigning to power his manner in, which included involving US Congress and the Division of Justice.
However within the wake of Andretti stepping again from his eponymous organisation and ceding management to majority proprietor Dan Towriss in September, Towriss and GM continued their efforts to current a extra compelling bid with a much bigger dedication from the American OEM as a constructor, a bid that has now been accredited in precept.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem stated the governing physique was “totally supportive” of the newest improvement: “Common Motors is a large world model and powerhouse within the OEM world and is working with spectacular companions.
“I’m totally supportive of the efforts made by the FIA, Method 1, GM and the crew to take care of dialogue and work in the direction of this consequence of an settlement in precept to progress this utility to carry a GM/Cadillac branded crew onto the grid for the 2026 FIA Method One World Championship. All events, together with the FIA, will proceed to work collectively to make sure the method progresses easily.”
Regardless of F1’s preliminary rejection, Andretti World continued increase its F1 programme at its Silverstone manufacturing unit, the place the crew had been hiring quite a few employees and producing a wind tunnel mannequin of a 2026 automobile. Senior arrivals embrace former F1 stalwart Pat Symonds and quite a lot of former Alpine staff, with former Renault engine tech boss Rob White the latest to join the project as its COO.
Michael Andretti, Proprietor Andretti World
Photograph by: Erik Junius
To be able to be prepared for 2026, the Cadillac-branded GM effort must take over the present Andretti World undertaking due to the quick lead instances concerned.
GM additionally will not have sufficient time to produce works engines earlier than 2028, so the squad must do a deal for buyer engines for the primary two seasons. Its almost definitely choices are Ferrari and Honda, with Andretti’s earlier engine associate Renault abandoning its 2026 energy unit undertaking.
There was hypothesis over GM taking up Renault’s 2026 engine IP, however it’s now anticipated the US producer will develop and construct its personal engines for 2028.
