Over the past few months, Andretti Global and Formula 1 Group have been busy negotiating the potential entry of an eleventh team on the grid from 2026. While the FIA showed no resistance in giving Andretti the green light, there is a sense of disagreement brewing between Liberty Media and the American motorsport outfit, which of course, is quite surprising considering their underlying F1 engine deal with General Motors.
The Andretti family has all its boxes ticked, and it almost looks like the stakeholders of Formula 1 are desperately seeking ways to keep the grid limited to ten teams. And now, amidst numerous conspiracy theories surrounding the two parties, F1 has made a smart move of Chess by striking an engine deal with General Motors from 2028.
BREAKING: General Motors says it has registered with the FIA to be an F1 power unit manufacturer from 2028 onwards.
Andretti Cadillac would be powered by a GM power unit should it be successful with its F1 entry #F1 pic.twitter.com/rXUXqRvC0G
— Chris Medland (@ChrisMedlandF1) November 14, 2023
The Detroit-based engine manufacturer will be joining the likes of Ferrari, Red Bull, Honda, Renault and Mercedes to be the sixth distinct engine supplier in the sport. Interestingly though, this isn’t entirely relieving news for Andretti Global. Of course, their engine supplier is now a part of the F1 grid. Therefore, their chances of joining the grid as the 11th team have gotten a tad easier.
However, the news also comes as a minor setback for Michael Andretti and Co.
Why the F1-General Motors deal is bad news for Andretti
Even if Andretti manage to churn out the much-desired agreement with F1 for the 2026 season, which engine supplier are they going to opt for? For two years, i.e. nearly 46 races, Andretti will be forced to work with Alpine (Renault) until General Motors makes its way into the F1 community in 2028.
And for a team like Andretti, they will need to play their cards right for the initial couple of years to be able to dream of becoming a race-winning outfit. Even a minor mishap could have massive repercussions, much like the kind of nightmare Haas is in the midst of. But, for the time being, GM looks quite comfortable with its decision to join the grid in 2028 rather than 2026.
🚨 | BREAKING: General Motors registers with the FIA to become an F1 engine manufacturer from 2028.
If Andretti’s F1 bid is successful, they will have an engine deal with GM.
This adds further scrutiny to negotiations between Andretti and Liberty Media.
— formularacers (@formularacers_) November 14, 2023
“We are thrilled that our new Andretti Cadillac F1 entry will be powered by a GM power unit. 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,” GM President Mark Reuss said according to Forbes.
“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.”