Andretti Cadillac F1 bid rejected
There were high hopes for an Andretti Grand Prix team; they must go unfulfilled for now
There won’t be an Andretti Autosport F1 team competing in 2025 or 2026. The team, which was a combined effort with Cadillac, has had its bid to become the 11th team on the grid rejected by Formula One Management (FOM).
Things had been looking good, the two American motorsport giants teaming up just as the sport was properly gaining popularity Stateside. The announcement of the collaboration came last January, and Andretti Cadillac had passed the first two stages of the application process. That was with the FIA, and took until October, but the final review is always undertaken by FOM as commercial rights holders. It is their decision that the Andretti effort hasn’t passed the final test for entry onto the F1 grid. Which is a huge blow for all involved, as well as those fans excited to see such iconic names involved with the sport.
The press release from Formula 1 does lay it out in pretty stark terms, citing factors like the total change in regulations for 2026 (and the unlikelihood of a new manufacturer making two very different F1 cars in consecutive seasons), the difficulty around entering as a new Power Unit manufacturer, and research that suggests that ‘F1 would bring value to the Andretti brand rather than the other way around’. Yowch.
Even the alternatives have been shut down, suggesting that a borrowed Power Unit ahead of Cadillac getting up to speed ‘would be damaging to the prestige and standing of the championship.’ Though the release goes on to state that the other 10 teams had no role to play in the decision made by FOM, many felt an Andretti Cadillac team would harm rather than help the sport.
Some believed that having to split funding between 11 teams rather than 10 would disadvantage them, as the new outfit would take more out of the pot than it would contribute. Which today’s announcement does seem to support, adding that the mere presence of an 11th team does not add value on its own: ‘The most significant way in which a new entrant would bring value is by being competitive. We do not believe that the Applicant would be a competitive participant.’ Don’t sit on the fence there, folks.
Whatever the reality, the unavoidable truth is that the Andretti Cadillac dream is no more for now. It would have to be imagined that the decision will be appealed, or a new approach employed, given the apparent intent and progress aspired to. The one silver lining in a 20-point memo of doom is that FOM have said it would ‘look differently’ on an application for the 2028 Championship with a GM power unit (which it is already formally registered with the FIA for) as either a works or customer team. So not all hope is lost yet. The Andrettis and Cadillac appeared very serious indeed about getting on the grid; presumably a set back, along with a glimmer of hope for the future, will only further their determination.
F1 have said that if there is a works GM powerplant, they'll look more favourably at an entry in 2028.
F1 have said that if there is a works GM powerplant, they'll look more favourably at an entry in 2028.
But it's not about the money, oh no...
Another debacle of a decision for FOM. Couple this with the Mickey Mouse 2026 regulations and the utter boredom of 2023, topped off with more and more dull new city tracks - F1 is heading to a much darker and less inspiring place.
Clowns.
Martin Brundle's view.
Overall, he backs the decision.
Just my opinion...
Just my opinion...
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