LAS VEGAS — General Motors is poised to secure its place in the market Formula 1 grid with its own team from 2026, when the peloton could expand to 11 teams.

First reported by the Associated Press on Thursday, multiple sources confirmed Athletics than the offer initially presented by Andretti Global, which F1 rejected at the end of January, has gained new momentum in recent weeks thanks to the involvement of General Motors.

This follows a restructuring of Andretti’s senior management, which included the departure of Michael Andretti, chairman and CEO, from his operational role, handing the reins to Dan Towriss, who took a stake in Andretti Global in 2022.

Towriss was on hand ahead of this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, the opening practice sessions of which took place on Thursday evening.

Andretti’s proposal always relied heavily on the involvement of General Motors, which planned to build its own F1 powerplant in 2028 and enter the sport through its Cadillac brand.

Athletics revealed in the days preceding F1 rejection announcement that the Andretti F1 car prototype, a version of which was already in the wind tunnel, was in development with significant input from General Motors engineers.

However, concerns about the quality of the entry, which F1 called a “novice manufacturer” in detailing its decision, and the wait until General Motors builds its own engine in 2028 prompted it to reject the offer in January.

This sparked an outcry from the Andretti family and also led the Justice Department’s antitrust division to launch an investigation into F1 owner Liberty Media following the move. Liberty said it would fully cooperate with the DOJ investigation.

F1 said in rejecting Andretti that it would “look differently at an application for entry by a team into the 2028 championship with a GM powertrain, either as a GM factory team or as a customer team GM designing all authorized components in-house. » The opportunity to have another sizable automaker, particularly in the United States at a time when the sport is growing rapidly in the United States, has always appealed to F1.

It is understood that F1 could soon make an announcement providing an update on the process regarding the General Motors bid as it takes over the Andretti project.

The 10 current F1 teams have always been hesitant about expanding the grid. Under existing business terms, General Motors would be required to pay anti-dilution fees that would be distributed among the 10 existing teams due to the change in bonus revenue.

But a sign of a softening of the stance with regard to the arrival of General Motors on the grid with the arrival of an 11th team appeared Thursday during the FIA ​​press conference before the GP of Las Vegas, featuring Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and Ferrari F1 chief Fred Vasseur, both of whom appeared receptive. to the possibility.

“I think if a team can make a contribution to the championship, especially if GM decides to own the team, that’s a different story,” Wolff said. “As long as it’s accretive, that means we’re increasing the popularity of the sport, we’re increasing the revenue of the sport, then no team will ever object to it. So I’m hopeful about it.

Vasseur stressed that the teams had no say, with the decision resting solely with F1. “Of course, like Toto said, if it’s good for the sport, good for the show, good for business and adds value on the sporting side, it’s all good for us,” Vasseur said. “But again, the decision is up to the FOM.”

F1 declined to comment on the matter when contacted by Athletics.

A Cadillac spokesperson said Athletics, “We continue to work with the FIA ​​and FOM regarding our expression of interest and are excited about our progress. At the same time, the development of our team, car and powertrain continues. We have no further news additional to be announced at this time.

(Photo: General Motors)