General Motors (GM) is one step closer to entering Formula 1 as the FIA, the world motorsport’s governing body, has approved Andretti Autosport’s application to participate in the category.
Andretti and Cadillac announced their intention to enter F1 earlier this year, and now their plans have received approval from the FIA. However, the application still needs to be approved by F1’s commercial bosses, and there is uncertainty about whether they will accept an 11th team, as there has been hesitancy within the F1 community to add another team.
The FIA has been actively seeking new entrants for F1, starting with expressions of interest and then a detailed application process. Andretti’s bid was one of four and the only one to receive backing from the FIA.
Under the Andretti Cadillac plan, the team would be based in the US and have a support facility in the UK, although the specific location has not been determined yet. The earliest the team could compete in F1 is 2025.
Rodin Cars, a firm from New Zealand that manufactures single-seaters, previously submitted an application to the FIA, which was rejected. The identities of the other two applicants remain unknown.
This development reflects the growing influence of F1 in the US. The series will include races in Austin, Miami, and Las Vegas in 2023, and Haas, a US-based team, is already on the F1 grid as the newest team in the lineup.
If successful, Andretti and Cadillac have expressed their intention to prioritize the appointment of at least one American driver to compete in F1.
The operation is led by Michael Andretti, a former F1 driver and the son of Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 champion and founder of Andretti Global enterprise.
In addition to Andretti Cadillac, Audi has been confirmed as a new entrant in F1 starting from 2026. Audi will partner with Swiss team Sauber, which currently collaborates with Alfa Romeo.
Meanwhile, Porsche, a sibling brand of Audi, remains interested in entering F1 after canceling plans to partner with Red Bull Racing.
Andretti Cadillac will use an engine supplied by a third party, with technical support from Andretti and GM. The two companies previously partnered to run the Chevrolet team in the 2012 Indycar Series, where they achieved success by winning the driver, team, and manufacturer titles.
Entering F1 will not impact Cadillac’s involvement in endurance racing. The company has been racing in the IMSA Sportscar Championship since 2017 and will expand its efforts globally this year by participating in the FIA World Endurance Championship, including the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours race, with its new V-LMDh racer.