F1 2023: Michael Andretti’s bid for an 11th team, FIA, Formula 1, General Motors, Cadillac, engine manufacturers

Andretti’s odds of getting a spot on the Formula 1 grid have been boosted by a General Motors commitment to start building power units from 2028.

GM, which had already inked a sponsorship and technical partnership deal with Andretti via its Cadillac brand, has formally registered with the FIA as a power unit manufacturer under the new engine regulations, which start in 2026.

Registration binds General Motors to the 2026 power unit regulations, which will restrict its development capacity from next year, though it will receive spending concessions as a brand-new manufacturer.

Watch the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix SUN 19th NOV 5PM AEDT. Join Kayo now and start streaming instantly >

The decision turns Andretti’s bid into a de facto works team for one of the world’s largest auto manufacturers, albeit the team will still need to find an engine supplier for its first two or three seasons of competition.

Andretti is aiming to join the grid in 2025 or 2026 pending approval from Formula 1.

“We are thrilled that our new Andretti Cadillac F1 entry will be powered by a GM power unit,” General Motors president Mark Reuss said. “With our deep engineering and racing expertise, we’re confident we’ll develop a successful power unit for the series and position Andretti Cadillac as a true works team.

“We will run with the very best, at the highest levels, with passion and integrity that will help elevate the sport for race fans around the world.”

General Motors revealed it was already testing engine prototypes, saying that work done in Formula 1 will benefit the company’s broader engineering understanding “in areas including electrification, hybrid technology, sustainable fuels, high efficiency internal combustion engines, advanced controls and software systems”.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said he was “delighted” to have General Motors register as a power unit manufacturer.

“This is a further endorsement of the FIA’s PU regulations,” he tweeted. “The presence of iconic American brands Andretti and GM is good for the sport.”

Michael Andretti’s bid has already received approval from the FIA to become the sport’s 11th team but is facing reluctance from F1 itself, with CEO Stefano Domenicali expressing scepticism over the need to expand the grid and the potential for a new independent team to add value to the sport’s continuing growth.

Both the FIA and F1 must approve the bid before Andretti joins the grid.

Cox backing Lando ahead of Vegas 'party' | 00:44

Though they have no formal say, most of the existing 10 teams are also staunchly against the idea of adding extra garages to pit lane, citing the reduction in earnings that would come with dividing the prize pool 11 ways.

Andretti’s original partnership with General Motors was seen as an attempt to counter that criticism, but the teams in particular were sceptical of what appeared to be a branding exercise rather than a fulsome commitment from GM.

“We’re seeing Ford coming back in 2026; Ford versus GM would be fantastic,” Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner told Sky Sports earlier this year, with his Red Bull Powertrains project set to benefit from Ford sponsorship and technical backing.

“But ideally I think they need to do their own engine.

“And I think that when you look at how Audi has come into the sport, they’ve acquired an existing team and an existing franchise. Should it be different for the others?”

General Motors appears to have answered much of that critique, albeit without having bought into an existing team.

“The GM PU will be a strong addition to F1,” Michael Andretti tweeted. “We are proud the Andretti Cadillac partnership will make this possible.

“Our commitment to excellence will not be taken lightly as we continue planning to enter F1 as soon as possible and, in 2028, Andretti Cadillac will compete as a true American works team.

“This historic partnership will accelerate the sport in the fast-growing US market as well as globally.”

It’s unclear whether this will be enough to satisfy the existing teams, with Williams earlier this year having reiterated its in-principal opposition to expanding the grid.

“My thoughts are very clear. Williams is against the addition of an 11th team and very strongly against,” Williams principal James Vowles said.

“We’ve been clear from the beginning: more than happy to bring in new entities, but the pie has to grow as a result of it, not shrink. So far it’s just shrinking.”

PIT PASS PODCAST: This weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix is the most eagerly anticipated race of the season — and perhaps the most hyped in F1 history. Can the race possibly live up to expectations, and what sort of grand prix can we expect down the famous Las Vegas Strip?

Registering as a power unit manufacturer does not necessarily tie General Motors to Andretti. Formula 1 could still block the Andretti bid without affecting GM’s registration as an engine manufacturer.

But nor does registration require GM to follow through with its plans; it can walk away from the sport at any time without penalty.

It’s unclear whether General Motors sees its entry as an engine manufacturer as dependent on F1 giving Andretti the nod.

GM’s decision to sponsor Andretti in January was unexpected, and it has taken just over 10 months for it to decide to become a fully fledged engine builder. Some have speculated the speed of its decision-making is a sign that it now sees Formula 1 as an interesting proposition in its own right and that it could proceed with its plans regardless of Andretti’s fate.

Vowles also opportunistically suggested General Motors could be coaxed to join the sport without being attached to the Andretti bid.

“I welcome GM open-armed,” he said. “I hope to forge a relationship with them should things not work out.

“They are an incredible entity that I think will make the sport better.”