General Motors and Cadillac won their duel against the FOM and the teams: it was expected, it is now official, F1 has accepted the entry of an 11th team into the discipline, under the name GM/Cadillac .
The team will initially be a customer team, before General Motors becomes a separate engine manufacturer entering F1, “at a later date. »
Greg Maffei, president and CEO of Liberty Media, pretended to have always supported the entry of this team in principle; in reality, the pressure from the American justice system seems to have paid off, after an initial refusal from the FOM.
“With Formula 1’s continued growth plans in the United States, we always believed that welcoming an impressive American brand like GM/Cadillac to the grid and GM as a future power unit supplier could provide value added and additional interest to the discipline.
“We credit General Motors executives and their partners for making significant progress in preparing for entry into Formula 1. We are excited to move forward with the Formula 1 application process. GM/Cadillac team to enter the championship in 2026.”
Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of Formula 1, was briefer.
“The commitment of General Motors and Cadillac to this project is an important and positive demonstration of the evolution of our sport. We look forward to seeing the progress and growth of this application, confident of the full collaboration and support of all parties involved. »
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the president of the FIA, has long played the General Motors card to directly oppose the FOM (which did not initially accept Cadillac). He is therefore pleased to have finally been heard.
“General Motors is a major global brand and powerhouse in the manufacturing world and works with impressive partners. I fully support the efforts made by the FIA, Formula 1, GM and the team to maintain dialogue and work towards an agreement in principle to progress this application for registration of a GM/ team. Cadillac on the starting grid for the 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. All parties, including the FIA, will continue to work together to ensure the process runs smoothly (sic). »
Mark Reuss, president of General Motors, is of course delighted: but why is F1 so attractive for a major American manufacturer?
“As the pinnacle of motorsport, F1 demands innovation and excellence that pushes the boundaries. It is an honor for General Motors and Cadillac to join the world’s premier racing series, and we are committed to competing with passion and integrity to elevate the sport to the level of racing fans around the world. This is a global stage that allows us to demonstrate GM’s engineering expertise and technological leadership to an entirely new level. »
Dan Towriss, general manager of the motorsport business of TWG Global, who took over the activity from the Andretti structure, finally commented:
“We are thrilled to partner with General Motors to bring a dynamic presence to Formula 1. Together, we are bringing together a world-class team that will embody American innovation and deliver unforgettable moments for racing fans around the world. We appreciate the support of the FIA and FOM for our application and their recognition of the value we can bring to the championship. »
Andretti’s name is not completely erased
GM/Cadillac will therefore be the name of the team, while initially everyone only spoke about the Andretti project…
But the very name of the Andretti family, which posed a problem for some, notably Toto Wolff, will not be erased.
Cadillac has indeed confirmed that Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 champion, will sit on the team’s board of directors. To see if this will not be an empty shell…
“My first love was Formula 1 and today, 70 years later, the F1 paddock is still my favorite place. I am absolutely delighted with this announcement. To still be involved at this point in my life, I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. »
On the other hand, the son, Michael Andretti, will be completely absent from the project. This was undoubtedly necessary for it to succeed…
Against bad luck, Michael Andretti, who had therefore sold the activities of Andretti Global to Dan Towriss, tries to make a good start against bad luck.
“The Cadillac F1 Team is made up of a strong group of people who have worked tirelessly to build an American team. »
“I am very proud of the work they have accomplished and congratulate everyone involved in this important new milestone. I will encourage you! »
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