Formula 1’s announcement on Monday to launch plans for the entry of General Motors/Cadillac could be seen as a complete turnaround in their attitude towards the eleventh team in the elite competition.
Back in January, FOM stated that the Andretti-Cadillac team’s request was rejected because the current concept did not add value to the championship.
“The most important contribution of the new entrant is competitiveness. We do not believe that the applicant would be a competitive participant,” said the press release, which primarily referred to the 2025 season.
This decision caused controversy. Andretti reacted violently and sought the support of American politicians to make a new assessment. Meanwhile, the team continued preparations for the 2026 car at its new base in Silverstone, despite entry being initially ruled out.
However, just a few months later, Formula 1’s attitude has changed significantly. Where the door to Andretti, despite the involvement of General Motors/Cadillac, had been closed, opportunities for collaboration now suddenly opened.
The key factor in this change is the changed framework conditions of the GM/Cadillac project, which make it significantly more attractive in the eyes of Formula 1.
It is interesting that there is no mention of the name Andretti in the three-page FOM announcement regarding the entry of GM/Cadillac. The only trace of previous participants is found in the mention of “partners in TWG Global,” Dan Tovris’ company that took over Andretti Global’s operations after the recent retirement of Michael Andretti.
Michael Andretti and Formula 1 have never had a good relationship. His withdrawal from the day-to-day management of the team allowed Tovris to adopt a more pragmatic approach. He realized that he could only convince Formula 1 if the project was redefined with greater GM involvement.
While the original plan was an Andretti car with a GM engine (initially with Renault engines), the project now presented is quite different.
Now it’s a GM/Cadillac car that would likely be transformed into a fully factory team by 2028 – although in the meantime it would use Ferrari or Honda engines.
Although the same parties are involved, Formula 1 now sees the two projects as completely different in terms of added value to the championship.
It should be noted that FOM hinted back in January that GM/Cadillac as a factory team with an engine of its own development would leave a better impression.
GM has made a strong commitment in recent months, promising not only significant investment, but an unprecedented commitment that has thrilled Formula 1.
Although the Andretti name is no longer part of the new GM/Cadillac plan, it will not disappear from the project entirely. Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 champion, will be a director on the team’s board.
The president of the FIA, Mohammed bin Sulayem, also played a key role in redirecting the project. He actively worked to make GM a factory team with its own engine, keeping up the pressure after initial pushback.
As Bin Sulayem originally initiated the initiative to open up Formula 1 to new teams, the tentative deal for GM/Cadillac’s entry represents the success of his vision.
Source: www.magazinauto.com
