F1 reaches ‘agreement in principle’ with General Motors entry

Formula 1 has confirmed an ‘agreement in principle’ for Cadillac and General Motors to join the grid, as the sport’s 11th team, in 2026 after previously denying entry.

Feature image credit: Red Bull Content Pool

Following Andretti’s rejection to be part of the F1 grid, Formula 1 has confirmed they have reached an ‘agreement in principle’ with General Motors [GM] which will see GM and the Cadillac brand join the sport as its 11th team in 2026. 

Whilst Andretti failed to score a position on the grid with GM, earlier this year, F1 gave the manufacturer and Cadillac brand the green light. 

The sport has confirmed that it maintained ‘a dialogue’ with General Motors and its partners at TWG Global following the commercial assessment in January 2024.  

Statement on General Motors application to join FIA Formula One World Championship in 2026https://t.co/oI2R6K6aRN

— Formula 1 (@F1) November 25, 2024

In a statement on Monday, F1 said: 

“Over the course of this year, they have achieved operational milestones and made clear their commitment to brand the eleventh team GM/Cadillac, and that GM will enter as an engine supplier at a later time. 

“Formula 1 is therefore pleased to move forward with this application process and will provide further updates in due course.”

In the announcement, the President of General Motors, Mark Reuss said:

“As the pinnacle of motorsports, F1 demands boundary-pushing innovation and excellence. 

“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. 

“This is a global stage for us to demonstrate GM’s engineering expertise and technology leadership at an entirely new level.”

Formula 1 has reached an agreement in principle with General Motors to support bringing GM/Cadillac as the eleventh team to the grid in 2026. pic.twitter.com/7HVSW9E3iF

— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) November 25, 2024

In 2023, the sports Governing body launched an ‘expressions of interest’ application process to get more teams on the sports grid; one of those was Andretti, accompanied by General Motors. 

Whilst it was accepted by the FIA, when the two parties approached F1 as part of the process the sport denied their bid because the team would not be a competitive participant. 

The announcement to accept General Motors and Cadillac, in principle, as a result of continued efforts from GM just as Micheal Andretti stepped back from his organisation.  

“General Motors and Cadillac’s commitment to this project is an important and positive demonstration of the evolution of our sport,” commented Stefano Domenicali, F1 President and CEO. 

“We look forward to seeing the progress and growth of this application, certain of the full collaboration and support of all the parties involved.”

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.