General Motors has registered with the FIA to build Formula One power units starting in 2028, in a potential boost to Andretti-Cadillac’s bid to join the grid.
The American manufacturer, which is best known for owning the likes of Chevrolet and Cadillac, announced the deal ahead of this week’s inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, which will be the third race to be staged in the United States this season.
The company will enter F1 in the third campaign under the sport’s new technical regulations, which are due to be implemented from 2026.
The news could bolster Andretti’s attempt to enter the sport, which was accepted by the FIA last month but still requires approval from commercial rights holders amid opposition from existing teams.
Michael Andretti, a former F1 driver and son of 1978 world champion Mario Andretti, joined forces with GM last year and included a technical partnership with Cadillac as part of his bid.
If Andretti succeeds in his effort to own F1’s 11th team, he would be required to seek a short-term deal with an existing power unit manufacturer until Cadillac’s engines are available.
Andretti recently said the team were aiming to be ready to compete in 2025, though he acknowledged their entry could be delayed until the following season.
The wait is over and the excitement is building! 🤩
Get ready for a race week like no other 🎲#F1 #LASVEGASGP HTTPS://T.CO/CRY9QJQUVX
— Formula 1 (@F1) NOVEMBER 13, 2023
“We are thrilled that our new Andretti-Cadillac F1 entry will be powered by a GM power unit,” GM president Mark Reuss said on Tuesday.
“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.”
Meanwhile, F1’s owners Liberty Media have apologised to those facing disruption as a result of the preparations for this week’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.
A 1.4-mile stretch of the iconic Las Vegas Strip will be taken over by F1 for the three-day race weekend, with many of the city’s most notable landmarks lining the new 3.8-mile street circuit.
Work to prepare the track for racing began nine months ago and has attracted criticism from some residents, and though Liberty Media’s chief executive Greg Maffei accepts the event has inconvenienced many, he hopes it provides a major boost to the city’s economy.
“I want to apologise to all the Las Vegas residents and we appreciate their forbearance and their willingness to tolerate us,” Maffei said.
“We’re going to bring something like $1.7billion of revenue to the area, so it’s not just for the benefit of fans who want to view.
“We hope this is a great economic benefit to Las Vegas. We hope this is the most difficult year with all the construction that went on and things will be easier in the future.”
IT’S RACE WEEK IN VEGAS!!! 🎰#F1 #LASVEGASGP PIC.TWITTER.COM/OCUVWIGQJN
— Formula 1 (@F1) NOVEMBER 13, 2023
