Las Vegas GP: Formula 1 in fresh talks for new 11th F1 team backed by General Motors
Las Vegas GP: Formula 1 in talks for new 11th General Motors-backed F1 teamFormula 1 is once again considering an 11th team for 2026; General Motors is in strong danger of joining F1 with talks underway in Las Vegas; watch the Las Vegas GP live on Sky Sports F1 and Main Event, with 6am start times for qualifying on Saturday and the race onCraig Slater gives the latest on a potential 11th team joining the F1 grid from 2026Formula 1 is in talks for a new 11th team on the grid in 2026.
General Motors’ entry, which was pitched by Michael Andretti, had its bid rejected by F1 earlier this year to join the grid. But Sky Sports News understands Andretti’s departure from the motorsport team is a game changer, as the team will become part of General Motors under the direction of businessman Dan Taurisse, a major shareholder in Andretti Global.
General Motors is ready to make a significant contribution to the new team, which has started new negotiations in Las Vegas and is likely to enter in 2026, which also marks the start of a new era in F1 with major technological changes to the rules.
Toulis and representatives from General Motors are in negotiations with F1 at this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.Most of the existing F1 teams have so far publicly opposed expanding the grid for commercial reasons, arguing that an 11th team would not bring enough added value and revenue to the sport to make up for the loss of income, and have insisted that the prize fund be split among the 11 teams instead of the 10.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff was asked on Friday about the prospect of an 11th team in F1, saying: “We have an obligation, a legal obligation as directors, to present the view that is best for our company and for our employees, and we have done that in the past.
With speculation growing that an 11th team could join the grid as early as 2026, team principals Toto Wolff and Fred Vasseur offer their views”I think whether a team can contribute to the championship, particularly if GM decides to come in as a team owner, that’s a different story.
And as long as it’s creative, it means we’re increasing the popularity of the sport, increasing the revenue of the sport, then no team is going to object. So I’m putting my hopes on that.
Andretti, Andretti Global, or no matter how the name was given, I didn’t make a single proposal with me on the idea of what the creative part was.
This is the owner of commercial rights along with the FIA. We are not talking. We can have our own opinions, like I do now, just if I want to be invited to a party, and when I come to the party, I sit at the table and tell them who I am and why I’m really funny and sit there, and everyone will appreciate my presence.
That didn’t happen, but now it’s my personal point of view – not professional, because we can’t do anything, we can’t say anything. And I don’t know the people. I clearly talked to Mario. Yes, I spoke to Mario once.
I haven’t spoken to his son. I have not spoken to any of the people behind this and I don’t know who they are. So I know the general manager.
GM is amazing.Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur said: “Discussions are taking place between the FIA, the teams and FOM. It’s not our choice.”Of course, as Toto said, if it’s good for the sport, good for the spectacle, good for business and adds sporting value, then we’re fine with it. But again the decision lies with the FOM.
