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Formula 1: Michael Andretti partners with General Motors for ‘all-American’ Cadillac F1 team

  • General Motors will attempt to enter Formula 1 by partnering with Andretti Global under its Cadillac banner to launch a two-car American team
  • F1 bosses have indicated they might be willing to welcome an 11th team, but not before the 2026 season

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Michael Andretti and General Motors want a two-car American team. Photo: AP

General Motors will attempt to enter Formula One by partnering with Andretti Global under its Cadillac banner as it supports Michael Andretti’s bid to launch a two-car American team.

Andretti has been lobbying the FIA, the governing body for F1, to expand the 20-car grid and join the series after a failed 2021 attempt to purchase Sauber. His petition to expand the grid has been met by fierce resistance from existing F1 teams who have argued an 11th team will dramatically dilute their revenues.

Andretti has continued to move forward with his desire – he’s got financial backing to buy into F1, a deep-pocketed sponsor in Gainbridge, a new shop being built in Indiana, and now an engine and manufacturer partner in General Motors, one of the largest carmakers in the world.

On Monday, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem tweeted he has asked his FIA team “to look at launching an Expressions of Interest process for prospective new teams for the FIA F1 World Championship.” It was the first public indicator that F1 might be willing to welcome an 11th team.

Michael Andretti (left) talks with FIA president Mohammed bin Sulayem before the F1 Miami GP. Photo: AP
Michael Andretti (left) talks with FIA president Mohammed bin Sulayem before the F1 Miami GP. Photo: AP

Michael Andretti first filed paperwork to expand the F1 grid in early 2022. He wants a true American team – California businessman Gene Haas owns the Haas F1 team that runs partly out of North Carolina but fields cars for a German and a Danish driver – and is putting the pieces together with the GM backing.

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