General Motors are increasingly likely to join the Formula 1 grid in 2026. The sport could soon confirm that success of their bid.
GM have been backing Andretti’s bid through their Cadillac subsidiary. But now their application is being framed differently.
It’s possible that GM could drop the Andretti name entirely, even though they will build upon the foundations already laid by the American team. They will likely buy a power unit from Honda or Ferrari for their first couple of years.
From 2028 onwards, they hope to be able to run their own engine. That is central to their appeal to the existing teams – a competitive manufacturer team is more likely to boost revenues than a customer squad.
F1 hasn’t welcomed a new team since 2016, when another American outfit – Haas – joined the fray. Manor ran out of money at the end of that season, and there have only been 20 cars since.
Once official confirmation arrives, media attention will soon turn to the driver line-up. It’s good news for experienced figures who have lost their places, or rookie hopefuls.
Ted Kravitz believes Colton Herta is a contender for 2026 General Motors seat
Speaking on Ted’s Notebook after Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying, Sky Sports F1 presenter Ted Kravitz reiterated that Cadillac are now well-placed. He’s confident that they’ll sign an American driver.
Kravitz mentioned Colton Herta as a candidate. 24-year-old Herta competes in the IndyCar series for Andretti.
Born in California, he’s won nine IndyCar races overall and finished second in this year’s championship behind Alex Palou. Herta has also tested an F1 car for McLaren.
Kravitz also thinks GM could sign Valtteri Bottas, who’s just lost his Sauber seat and may be the Mercedes reserve in 2025. He also mentioned Franco Colapinto, currently without a drive for next year but a contender for multiple teams.
“It looks like we will, after all, have a new team in Formula 1,” he said. “Wahey! And it’s going to be Cadillac. They’re going to have one American driver – perhaps Colton Herta, maybe somebody else – and one driver who doesn’t have a drive at the moment, maybe Colapinto or Valtteri Bottas.”
Christian Horner mocked for airing concerns over General Motors Formula 1 entry
F1’s commercial rights holders Liberty will likely be delighted by GM’s prospective arrival. It should help the sport grow in an American market.
While Haas are approaching 10 years in F1, Cadillac is a more iconic brand, and what the sport really needs is a competitive American talent. Logan Sargeant only lasted 18 months before losing his spot at Williams.
Herta already has one influential admirer in two-time world champion Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard has called him a ‘very good’ and ‘very talented’ driver who would be a ‘good fit’ for F1 (via Motorsport Week).
Christian Horner isn’t entirely sold on GM, insisting that Red Bull ‘won’t pay’ for them (in terms of forfeiting prize money). But Martin Brundle told Horner not to ‘cry tears’ because revenues are already so high, particularly for the top teams.
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