Formula 1 will receive an 11th team in its world championship from 2026, the GM/Cadillac team, the organizers announced this Monday (25), who spoke of “a principle of agreement” with the American automobile giant.
The candidacy of General Motors (GM), owner of Cadillac, was validated with this “principle of agreement”, concluded after a long process of negotiations between the two parties, which made it possible to verify “the viability of participation after the commercial and decision taken by F1 in January 2024”, said those responsible for the event in a statement.
“During this year, they surpassed the operational stages and clearly expressed their commitment to giving the eleventh team the name GM/Cadillac,” highlighted F1.
In addition to the incorporation of this American group into the highest competition in motor sports, those responsible for Formula 1 are confident of having “GM as an engine supplier at a later date”.
The American construction company had announced last year that it had signed up with the International Automobile Federation (FIA) to be an engine supplier in Formula 1 from 2028.
American Mario Andretti, 84 years old, Formula 1 world champion in 1978, will have the role of ambassador for the team and will have a seat on its Board of Directors.
“It is an honor for General Motors and Cadillac to join racing’s elite [de automobilismo] in the world. We hope to compete with passion and integrity to live up to racing fans,” commented Mark Reuss, director of the automobile giant.
“The commitment of General Motors and Cadillac to this project is an important and positive demonstration of the evolution of our sport,” said F1 boss Stefano Domenicali.
USA increasingly present
The FIA had launched in January 2023 a process that allowed potential new candidates to join the championship from 2025 or 2026.
“General Motors is a major global brand and global equipment powerhouse, working with impressive collaborators,” said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
The United States has had a growing presence in Formula 1 in recent years.
The GM/Cadillac announcement comes two days after the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where Dutchman Max Verstappen was proclaimed world champion for the fourth consecutive year. In the United States, there are two other Grand Prix races, in Miami and Austin.
The Netflix documentary series “Drive to Survive” has also contributed to boosting Formula 1 in the United States.
