Multiple team bosses remain wary of the proposed Andretti Cadillac entry, despite General Motors committing to becoming a full power unit supplier from 2028 onwards.
GM announced ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend that it registered with the FIA to produce its own power unit in just over four years’ time, when Formula 1 will be under new engine regulations. In the statement, the manufacturer confirmed it would be for the Andretti Cadillac team to ensure a full works effort, and Toto Wolff says it’s a positive step but still wants to see facts for how it would enhance the sport.
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“GM is one of the big players, no doubt,” Wolff said. “And I guess if they say they want to join the sport in ‘28, they’re serious about it and it’s a good commitment. But, you know, we need to see whether the commercial rights holder deems this to be a good entry or not.
“For many teams it is big dilution that can make the difference between big losses or less losses, and I haven’t changed my opinion on that.
“We haven’t seen any data, just to say it’s going be awesome. Where’s the case? What are the numbers? How much can we gain in popularity? What’s the name worth? How much more can the sport be attractive? What are the facts? And if those facts are positive, I have no doubt that F1 will consider that in that way.”
Williams team principal James Vowles had previously stated he’d welcome working with GM in future, but says he is still opposed to a new team entering F1.
“I can’t really comment much on it, I don’t know what the relationship is between those two entities,” Vowles said. “My comment was more that GM, I think, is a good company to bring into our sport. That was more what it was around and we have no discussions with them. But I just think they’re the sort of company, the sort of OEM, that will grow our sport as a result of things.
“But my view hasn’t changed on the addition of an 11th team. Fundamentally, it’s still around the finances of Williams, which is where my focus is.”
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur similarly says GM is welcome as the sport can easily accommodate more power unit suppliers, but that an extra team is a different matter.
“If the question is on GM, I think every single new engine supplier is welcome in F1,” Vasseur said. “But it’s not the same story as the 11th team. It’s two separate questions. I think the real question is on the engine supplier and we can have a new engine supplier.”
Andretti’s bid has had one constantly public supporter among the team principals in the form of McLaren’s Zak Brown, who is also positive about the GM news.
“We partner with GM in our IndyCar team,” Brown said. “They’ve got a great history in motor racing and the more power units in the sport, I think, the better.”