Current Formula 1 team have held ‘conversation’ with Cadillac and General Motors in case Andretti bid fails

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Andretti have thus far been unsuccessful in their bid to join the Formula 1 grid. Commercial rights holders Liberty Media rejected their attempt to enter the sport in either 2025 or 2026.

However, they have said they will reconsider their application ahead of the 2028 decision. Andretti’s plan was to become an effective General Motors works team at that point, which appealed to FOM.

Without the GM engine, there were concerns that Andretti wouldn’t be fast enough to add any value to the sport. But as a new manufacturer, they could elevate the brand.

The addition of GM would be particularly welcome following Renault’s decision to halt their F1 engine operation. That effectively offsets the arrival of Audi in 2026.

Alpine are expected to link up with Mercedes, which they hope will make them more competitive. However, rulemakers have been trying to make the sport more appealing to power unit suppliers.

F1 hasn’t welcomed a new team since 2016, when the North Carolina-based Haas squad made their debut. But partnered by Cadillac and backed by GM as a whole, Andretti would likely become the flagship American team.

Could GM and Cadillac be ‘decoupled’ from Andretti?

According to The Race’s Scott Mitchell-Malm, Cadillac and GM could have another route into F1 if they wish to take their business in that direction. They’ve held talks with ‘at least one’ team who are already competing in the sport.

Mitchell-Malm didn’t specify who the team or teams were, but he says they’ve enquired about whether Cadillac and GM are inextricably tied to Andretti. There’s still a ‘possibility’ a deal can be struck.

Technologically, F1 will take another step into the future from 2026. Teams will build bigger batteries to supply half of their overall power and switch to sustainable fuels.

“I am aware of at least one team that last year had some kind of conversation about whether or not GM and Cadillac could be decoupled with Andretti, and if the Andretti side was unsuccessful, maybe they could still come in with an existing team,” Mitchell-Malm said. “That’s got to still be a possibility.”

Why Alpine could be a target for General Motors

If General Motors wish to buy an F1 team and set up their own operation, either through Andretti or independently, then Alpine are the obvious target. Many believe that Luca de Meo and Flavio Briatore are preparing to sell, though they have publicly denied this.

‘A lot of the people in the paddock’ think Alpine could change hands, but there are likely to be multiple parties interested if the Enstone outfit goes on the market. They would be able to use the existing foundations rather than starting from scratch.

Hitech are also interested in Alpine, though they would likely use a Mercedes engine. Oliver Oakes, newly appointed as team principal, is their founder.

Most the other teams on the grid seem to be settled for the long term. Aramco could try to buy Aston Martin from Lawrence Stroll, but they’re already in place as title sponsors.