Formula 1 and motorsports governing body the FIA have responded to the news of Andretti Global teaming up with General Motors to field a new Formula 1 team, saying there is still a lot to consider before it happens.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem agreed that the news was "particularly pleasing" and said it showed how the global appeal of the sport continued to grow.
"Today’s news from the United States is further proof of the popularity and growth of the FIA Formula 1 world championship under the FIA’s stewardship," he said on Thursday.
"Any additional entries would build on the positive acceptance of the FIA’s 2026 PU regulations among OEMs which has already attracted an entry from Audi," he continued.
"It is particularly pleasing to have interest from two iconic brands such as General Motors Cadillac and Andretti Global."
But he made it clear that it accepting the Andretti entry was not a done deal. "Any expressions of interest process will follow strict FIA protocol and will take several months," he said.
©AndrettiGlobal
Formula 1 itself also issued a statement insisting that processes must be followed, and the entry will need to prove it is credible in the long term.
"There is great interest in the F1 project at this time with a number of conversations continuing that are not as visible as others," said F1.
"We all want to ensure the championship remains credible and stable and any new entrant request will be assessed on criteria to meet those objectives by all the relevant stakeholders.
"Any new entrant request requires the agreement of both F1 and the FIA."
Recent rumours have also hinted at interest from the Ford motor company in entering into a tie-up with Red Bull from 2026. Hyundai has also been linked to an future entry.
Initially it's understood that GM would initially use the Cadillac name to re-badge the power unit of another manufacturer, possibly Renault, before eventually rolling out its own design.
Andretti has been pressing for a spot on the F1 grid for months, but the sport's stakeholders - particularly the other teams, who would get a reduced share of the prize money if new teams joined - have remained notably lukewarm.
Ben Sulayem has been more supportive but still has to walk a fine line with the other interested parties.
"The President has definitely showed that he really would like to have an 11th team, at least on the grid," acknowledged team owner Michael Andretti today. "He is a racer, and he understands the importance of that for the series itself.
"We feel very confident that, once the expression of interest goes out, especially having our great partnership with Cadillac, we have a very, very, very good shot at checking every box and being able to be on the grid soon."
No date has been specified for Andretti/Cadillac to join F1 but it's unlikely to be before the new engine regulations come into effect in 2026.
"I feel very, very confident that we'll be on the grid soon." said Andretti. I believe that we checked every box that needs to be checked to be able to enter F1, and I feel like we're definitely ahead of our competition to get there."
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