After months of failed negotiations, an 11th team joining F1 is close to becoming a reality. General Motors are in advanced talks to enter the grid in 2026, offering a hugely attractive package to FOM (F1 Management).
The battle for an 11th team in F1
For the majority of 2024, Andretti’s spent months negotiating in an ultimately failed F1 entry bid.
Despite receiving the green light from the FIA, FOM opposed their integration into the grid.
It was argued there was no need to have more than 10 teams on the grid. Stefano Domenicali was the most prominent voice against the arrival of a new team.
Financial considerations also played a role in this early dispute, since an 11th team would lead to changes in prize money.
Inevitably, existing teams did not want to sacrifice their current earnings to accommodate a rival.
Perhaps of greater consequence, there was a huge conflict between Greg Maffei (who was Liberty Media CEO until last week) and Andretti.
Maffei made his opposition to Andretti crystal clear, openly opposing their entry bid.
However, a series of key changes have significantly increased the chances of another team joining the grid – as early as the 2026 season.
General Motors make significant progress
Following F1’s rejection of Andretti earlier this year, it was announced that Michael Andretti would take a backseat at Andretti Global.
Given the souring of relations between Andretti and FOM, this news was seen as a first step to change F1’s stance on an 11th team.
Just last week, Greg Maffei stepped down from his position at Liberty Media. This was another significant development in future negotiations.
According to Dutch journalist Erik van Haren, a more convincing package to a new entrant is close to being accepted.
It is understood that General Motors are now at the forefront of a new entry bid. The American brand company wants to enter the field in 2026, from the beginning of the next regulatory cycle.
GM to join F1 without Andretti
Rather than joining in collaboration with Andretti, General Motors look to become an F1 team in their own right.
For the first few years, GM would use the power unit from another team – such as Ferrari or Honda.
However, GM’s long term intentions are clear – they want to develop their own engine by 2028.
This is a hugely attractive proposition for F1, who will be happy to pick up another engine manufacturer.
F1’s aim to expand into the American market will undoubtedly be helped with the presence of such a huge name.
In previous months, during Andretti’s negotiations, it became increasingly clear that General Motors were the brand that Liberty Media were most interested in.
Because of this, the prospect of a General Motors F1 Team is having far better success in talks with F1.
Indeed, an agreement to confirm GM’s entry path into the field could be very close.
An announcement should not be too far away, with another name on the verge of entering the ever-evolving battleground that is Formula 1.
