Formula 1 appears to be set to welcome an 11th team to the grid in 2026. Discussions are nearing an agreement, meaning an official announcement might come soon.

Reportedly, the new team is likely to be heavily supported by General Motors (GM), possibly using its Cadillac brand. If the deal gets done, it would mark a major step forward for F1, which has faced resistance to adding a second American team. 

The team comes from Andretti Global, which had its original bid approved by the FIA but rejected by Formula One Management (FOM). FOM was concerned that the team wouldn’t be competitive enough or bring enough value to the sport.

However, Andretti didn’t give up and kept working to make the 2026 entry possible. In September, Michael Andretti stepped back, with new majority owner Dan Towriss taking over leadership, improving the team’s chances with FOM.

Motorsport.com reported that Towriss was seen in the Las Vegas Grand Prix paddock on Thursday and talks have reportedly taken place to explore what an entry by the group and General Motors could look like.

Since GM’s own F1 engine won’t be ready until 2028, the team will need to use customer engines for its first two seasons, with likely suppliers being Ferrari or Honda. 

At the same time, GM has been working on its engine project to ensure it’s ready to compete in the future. With Renault leaving as an engine supplier in 2026, GM’s involvement could help keep the sport balanced.

Andretti Global has already set up a base in Silverstone, hired key staff, and started designing its car for 2026. These efforts, backed by GM’s resources, have helped change opinions in F1. Even Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has said that a big name like GM would bring value to the sport.

“I think if a team can add to the championship, particularly if GM decides to come in as a team owner, that is a different story,” said Wolff quoted by Motorsport.com.

“And as long as it is accretive, that means we’re growing the popularity of the sport, we’re growing the revenue of the sport, then no team will be ever against it.

“So I’m putting my hope in there. No one from Andretti or Andretti Global or whatever the name will be has ever spoken to me a single sentence in presentation of what the accretive part is.

“But they don’t need to, because the teams don’t decide. It is the commercial rights holder, with the FIA. We have no say.”