Cadillac has “agreement in principle” to join F1 as 11th team in 2026 · RaceFans

Formula 1 had reached an “agreement in principal” for Cadillac to join the grid as an 11th team for the 2026 season.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said he was “fully supportive” of the joint efforts made by the series’ promoter, governing body and the General Motors brand.

The FIA approved an application to enter the world championship from Andretti Global in October last year. However Formula One Management must also give its approval for any new team to join the grid, and it rejected the application earlier this year.

However rumours during the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend claimed FOM was preparing to announce a reversal of its position which would allow the new entrant to arrive in 2026.

Andretti obtained the backing of General Motors brand Cadillac, which announced it planned to enter as as the team’s power unit supplier in 2028. Since then Michael Andretti has stepped down in charge of the Silverstone-based project, prompting speculation Cadillac would rebrand the entire entry.

Ben Sulayem, who said last year he was “confident” the team would join the series, has given the clearest indication yet FOM is seriously considering a U-turn on its opposition to the project.

“General Motors is a huge global brand and powerhouse in the OEM [original equipment manufacturing] world and is working with impressive partners,” said Ben Sulayem. “I am fully supportive of the efforts made by the FIA, Formula 1, GM and the team to maintain dialogue and work towards this outcome of an agreement in principle to progress this application to bring a GM/Cadillac branded team onto the grid for the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship.

“All parties, including the FIA, will continue to work together to ensure the process progresses smoothly.”

The FIA selected Andretti from four potential entrants which reached the second phase of its application process. The unsuccessful rival bids included Formula Equal, which was backed by former BAR F1 team principal Craig Pollock; Formula 2 team Hitech GP, whose team principal Oliver Oakes has since taken charge at Alpine; and an Asian entrant under the name LKY SUNZ.

F1’s statement announcing the impending arrival of Cadillac made no mention of the Andretti name.

“General Motors and Cadillac’s commitment to this project is an important and positive demonstration of the evolution of our sport,” said F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali. “We look forward to seeing the progress and growth of this application, certain of the full collaboration and support of all the parties involved.”

This article will be updated

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