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Race cars during the F1 Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, Brazil, November 5, 2023. /CFP
Race cars during the F1 Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, Brazil, November 5, 2023. /CFP
General Motors (GM) has formally registered with F1’s governing body to provide power units (PU) for a proposed Andretti Cadillac team from 2028, the U.S. carmaker announced on Tuesday.
The governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) last month approved an expression of interest from Andretti to enter as an 11th team but F1 is still considering the application.
“We are thrilled that our new Andretti Cadillac F1 entry will be powered by a GM power unit,” said GM President Mark Reuss in a statement issued ahead of this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, one of three races in the United States.
“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.”
The move will add to the pressure on Liberty Media-owned F1 Management, whose head Stefano Domenicali has said the decision to expand has to be right for the business.
Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner (L) talks with Michael Andretti after the qualifying sessions for the F1 Miami Grand Prix in Miami, U.S., May 7, 2022. /CFP
Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner (L) talks with Michael Andretti after the qualifying sessions for the F1 Miami Grand Prix in Miami, U.S., May 7, 2022. /CFP
Turning down one of the world’s top carmakers, and one of the biggest yet to compete in F1, could backfire badly for a sport eager to win over American audiences and with an increasing number of major sponsors from the region.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who told Reuters last month that he wanted more teams, welcomed the development.
“Delighted with the news that GM have registered as a PU supplier for FIA F1. This is a further endorsement of the FIA’s PU regulations. The presence of iconic American brands Andretti and GM is good for the sport,” he said on X, formerly Twitter.
Most of the existing teams are opposed to an 11th diluting their share of the profits, but have no ultimate say in the decision.
They argue that a $200 million compensation payment to be shared among them is not enough, given that some teams are valued at more than $1 billion.
They have also questioned the project’s credentials and whether it could be a true works outfit or just sponsorship with a brand name stuck on someone else’s engine.
Mario Andretti sits in the cockpit after racing laps in honor of the new turn 20 name dedication “The Andretti” before the F1 Grand Prix in Austin, U.S., October 23, 2022. /CFP
Mario Andretti sits in the cockpit after racing laps in honor of the new turn 20 name dedication “The Andretti” before the F1 Grand Prix in Austin, U.S., October 23, 2022. /CFP
Michael Andretti, son of 1978 world champion Mario, said last month that he was still aiming to enter the championship in 2025 and had a 2023 specification car ready to go in the wind tunnel.
“At the moment it’s ’25, it could be ’26 but we’ll see,” he said at the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin.
F1 will have new engine regulations from 2026, with GM set to be the seventh manufacturer if Andretti secure approval. Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault, Audi, Honda and Red Bull-Ford are already committed.
GM said its development and testing of prototype technology was already underway.
“Engineering a F1 power unit will advance GM’s expertise in areas including electrification, hybrid technology, sustainable fuels, high efficiency internal combustion engines, advanced controls and software systems,” the carmaker said.
Andretti had an agreement with Alpine for an engine for the initial seasons but Bruno Famin, new boss of that Renault-owned team, said recently the deal had lapsed.
“Technically the agreement went out but once we get our approval then that’ll be fixed,” said Andretti. “We’re not worried about that.”
Source(s): Reuters
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