LAS VEGAS — Formula 1 is poised to formally approve the addition of an 11th team, which has its origins tied to Michael Andretti, as early as next week. The new team, named Cadillac F1, is set to compete with Ferrari engines beginning in the 2026 season. Furthermore, General Motors plans to roll out its own Cadillac power unit by the 2028 season.
Insiders from the industry, speaking on the condition of anonymity, shared that the decision to expand the grid may be announced before the Las Vegas Grand Prix scheduled for Saturday evening. They noted that this announcement could detract from the significant event on the Formula 1 calendar.
Initially, F1 had been hesitant to approve the grid expansion despite receiving support from the FIA, the body overseeing F1. The ten existing teams, which hold no voting power on the matter, have chiefly been against the expansion due to concerns about reduced prize money and the significant financial investments they have already made into the racing series. There were also calls urging Andretti to acquire an existing team instead, although no teams have expressed a willingness to sell. In 2020, Andretti sought to acquire the Sauber team, but the deal did not materialize.
A turning point came early this year when Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 champion and father of Michael Andretti, advocated for the Andretti Global initiative in Washington, D.C. This led to a Department of Justice investigation into Liberty Media, the rights holder for F1, regarding their rejection of the American team’s entry. The inquiry intensified after Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault, publicly stated that he would not sell his Alpine F1 team, describing F1 as a “closed club” that has turned it into a lucrative selling environment.
As part of the DOJ’s investigation, there are indications that a WhatsApp chat among team principals could contain statements detrimental to the Andretti bid. The Las Vegas race marks the final of three events in the U.S. this season, highlighting the growing popularity of F1 domestically. The three U.S. venues—Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas—represent the largest number of races in any single country.
In September, a significant shift occurred when Michael Andretti opted to step back from a primary role in his organization, handing over control to new majority stakeholders, Dan Towriss and Mark Walter, who also owns the Los Angeles Dodgers. Although the Andretti Global name is anticipated to persist in IndyCar, it will be excluded from F1 as Cadillac intends to position the team as a manufacturer-led operation. F1 had previously indicated that it would reconsider Andretti’s application once General Motors was prepared for a greater involvement.
Mario Andretti is to assume an ambassadorial role with Cadillac F1, whereas Michael Andretti will not actively participate. In 1993, he participated in an abbreviated season of 13 F1 races, and speculation exists that F1’s initial rejection stemmed from past grievances against him. His choice not to relocate to Europe during that time led many to view his dedication as lacking, after which he returned to racing in the U.S.
An additional complication in this lengthy saga is the upcoming departure of Greg Maffei, the CEO of Liberty Media, who has been viewed as a significant obstacle to Andretti’s entry into F1. Maffei announced he would step down at year’s end but has been present in Las Vegas for the high-profile event.
Towriss and other General Motors executives are also in attendance at the Las Vegas race, although they have opted to refrain from commenting due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing situation. The FIA has extended full support to General Motors, confirming that the application submitted by Michael Andretti was the only one among seven applicants that satisfied all criteria necessary to adjust the current F1 grid.
Meanwhile, F1’s resistance emerged primarily from its own leadership and the majority of existing teams, with many questioning the added value Michael Andretti could bring to a series already enjoying growing popularity and financial success. The initial denial from F1 also specified a lack of faith in the competitiveness of the Andretti team, indicating doubts regarding the value of the Andretti name.
General Motors is recognized as the leading automotive manufacturer in the U.S., and its entry into F1 has generally been well-received. At one point, F1 even suggested that GM find another team, but GM declined this offer. Currently, there exists only one American team on the F1 grid, owned by Gene Haas, which has not been particularly competitive and fields no American drivers—the vision of Andretti was to establish a truly American team featuring American drivers.
Despite the rejection of his application, Andretti has been proactive regarding the establishment of a racing operation, including building a car and securing a race shop in England, in addition to listing job openings for his future team. Nonetheless, he will not have an operational role.
There is also speculation regarding Andretti’s involvement with his existing IndyCar team as new charter agreements have recently been established. Ownership stakes must be disclosed, and while the document obtained revealed redacted interests, Towriss submitted his signature on the Andretti charter agreements, indicating a significant change in leadership dynamics.
