General Motors plans to enter F1 as team owner from 2026

The initial offer was made by Andretti’s co-founder, Michael Andretti, a former Indycar and F1 driver, and was billed as joining Andretti with the backing of GM’s Cadillac brand. GM said it would produce its own engine by 2028.

The new plan is for GM to join as team owner and remain committed to building its own power unit by 2028.

This means the new team will have to buy customer engines from an existing supplier to fill the gap from 2026.

It is unclear which brand GM will use for the project.

Another important difference is that Michael Andretti no longer has any managerial role in the team he founded.

In September, it was announced that Towriss had taken control of Andretti and Michael Andretti had moved to the ambassadorial post.

Michael Andretti was seen by many in F1 as a divisive figure who rubbed people the wrong way with his confrontational approach to securing entry.

F1 is facing a US Department of Justice investigation into its decision to deny Andretti his entry into the first race.

Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff said in Las Vegas on Thursday: “If a team can contribute to the championship, especially if GM decides to come in as owner, that’s a different story.

“And as long as it’s creative, that means we’re increasing the popularity of the sport, we’re increasing the revenue of the sport, then no team can go against that. So that’s where I’m putting my hope.” “

Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur said: “The discussion is between the FIA, the team and F1. It’s not our choice.”

“Of course, if it’s good for the sport, if it’s good for the show, if it’s good for business and if it adds value to the sport, we’re all good.”