After months of speculation, tension and negotiations, Andretti Global's entry as the eleventh team in F1 finally seems to be one step away from being confirmed. A project that, for years, has raised discussions and attracted criticism, but which is now preparing to change the landscape of the highest category of motorsport, bringing with it the weight of a legendary name and the ambition of one of the giants of the automotive industry: General Motors.
A bumpy ride to the grid
Andretti's journey to F1 was certainly not without its challenges. obstacles. The first attempt to acquire Sauber in 2021 ended in nothing, prompting Michael Andretti, son of 1978 world champion Mario, to focus on building a new team from scratch. The support of General Motors and its Cadillac brand in 2022 gave impetus to the project, but the road proved more complex than expected.
Despite the FIA’s green light, Formula One Management (FOM) initially rejected the idea of an Andretti-Cadillac team for 2026, calling the project uncompetitive and not commercially viable enough. The heart of the problem seemed to lie in the perception that Andretti was an outsider, unable to meet the standards required by modern F1.
The turning point: the role of General Motors
The turning point came in recent months, thanks to a series of strategic changes. Michael Andretti scaled back his operational role, handing over the reins of the project to his partner Dan Towriss, now majority owner of Andretti Global. This change, combined with a renewed commitment from General Motors, brought new credibility to the project. The promise of direct involvement from the American giant – which includes the development of a Cadillac engine for 2028 – convinced the F1 top brass to reopen negotiations.
According to authoritative sources such as the Associated Press and RacingNews365, the team will debut in 2026 as a customer of one of Ferrari, Honda or Mercedes for the supply of power units. However, the real goal is to transform the team into a factory team starting in 2028, with its own power unit developed by GM.
A historic impact for Formula 1
Andretti’s arrival would be a historic moment for F1. It would be the first American team to join the grid since Haas in 2016 and would represent a great opportunity to build on the championship’s growing popularity in the United States. With three races already on the calendar – Miami, Austin and Las Vegas – and an ever-expanding audience, having a “home” team could be the missing piece in making America the new beating heart of Formula 1.
But it’s not just marketing. Andretti Global has already shown that it is ready from a technical and organizational standpoint. With nearly 300 employees, a base of operations in the UK and a 2026 chassis already in advanced development, the team is determined to get serious from year one.
The last unknowns
There are still some open questions. One of them is the supply of engines for the first two seasons, when Cadillac will not yet be ready with its own power unit. Also, it remains to be seen how the delicate balance between the Andretti brand and the GM/Cadillac brand in the official name of the team will be managed.
Despite these unknowns, the air in the Las Vegas paddock is that of imminent white smoke. Dan Towriss has been spotted in the paddock, engaged in meetings that could define the final details of the agreement. If all goes as planned, an official announcement could arrive in the coming weeks.
