McLaren CEO Zak Brown has indicated that confirmation of General Motors’ potential entry as an 11th team on the 2026 Formula 1 grid is “likely imminent.”
This development marks a dramatic shift in a saga that began with an unsuccessful bid earlier this year. Originally submitted under the banner of the American motorsport outfit Andretti, the proposal was initially approved by the FIA but subsequently rejected by Formula 1. The primary reason cited for the rejection was that the new team would not deliver sufficient additional value to the sport.
Now, the restructured bid—led by Andretti in partnership with General Motors—appears poised for acceptance, signaling a significant milestone for the future of the F1 grid.
During Sky Sports F1’s broadcast of the final practice session at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Zak Brown expressed his strong support for the potential addition. When asked about the prospect, he stated he would “absolutely” welcome the new team: “They’ve got a great history in motorsport, General Motors,” – the McLaren chief executive officer confirmed – “So I think it’s great, more competition. Something for the fans to get excited about. They love new grands prix, new power units, new racing teams, new racing drivers, so I think it will be exciting. I kind of know what I’m hearing on the grapevine. We’ve not been officially told anything but we partner with GM with our IndyCar team, so I’ve seen them here and they seem to have big smiles on their face. So I believe an announcement is probably imminent and it will be exciting to have yet another manufacturer alongside Audi joining our sport.” – Zak Brown pointed out.
The swift progress in discussions surrounding General Motors’ prospective entry into Formula 1 is believed to hinge on a significant leadership change. Michael Andretti, whose aggressive tactics to secure a spot on the grid reportedly strained relationships with key F1 stakeholders, stepped aside in September. Control of Andretti Global was handed to majority shareholder Dan Towriss, who was spotted in the Las Vegas paddock on Thursday.
With Andretti’s name removed from the bid, speculation has grown that the team could be branded under General Motors’ Cadillac division. This would align with F1’s growing roster of iconic automotive names, such as Audi, which is set to join the sport in 2026 by taking over the Sauber operation.
The Cadillac-backed entry also brings the allure of an in-house engine program, a rarity among new F1 participants. While GM plans to manufacture its own power units, time constraints mean the team would likely use an engine supplied by another manufacturer for the 2026 and 2027 seasons, before debuting its own in 2028.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner acknowledged the value of having a major manufacturer like GM join the sport but remained concerned about the financial implications for existing teams. “The finances of the deal remain the main issue,” Horner told Sky Sports F1 ahead of Las Vegas qualifying.
While McLaren’s Zak Brown has been one of the few vocal supporters of Andretti’s initial bid, most team principals have opposed expanding the grid, citing potential revenue losses. Brown’s backing for GM’s entry highlights his willingness to prioritize the sport’s long-term growth over short-term financial concerns.
“So long as logistically it can be accommodated. We’d have absolutely no problem with seeing GM come here but we’re not paying for it. We’ve got no issue with them coming. We’d welcome them with open arms but you don’t want to see the prize fund diluted. So there will be that question of whose side of the cake does it come out of? Probably a bit of everybody’s.” – the Red Bull team principal added.
Red Bull is set to join forces with American automotive giant Ford in 2026, coinciding with the introduction of new Formula 1 engine regulations. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner believes that the presence of two competing U.S. brands could significantly enhance the sport’s appeal.
Horner commented on the prospect of General Motors entering the fray, saying, “The arrival of an American team would undoubtedly be a positive for Formula 1. We already have Haas on the grid, but adding a major original equipment manufacturer (OEM) like GM could really elevate the competition.”
He went on to highlight the potential rivalry, adding, “We’ve got Haas but to have a big OEM (original equipment manufacturer) come in… Ford vs GM could be pretty sexy.”
This anticipated clash between two iconic American brands could provide a unique narrative for fans, further fueling Formula 1’s growing popularity in the United States.
Leave a Reply