Formula One has denied Andretti Global the opportunity to join its global racing series over the next three years but instead kicked the figurative can down the road until 2028 when General Motors has an engine ready for competition.
The Detroit based manufacturer, under its Cadillac badge, had joined forces with Michael Andretti in a bid to field a team in the prestigious racing series — an effort that has received significant repudiation from a majority of the teams already on the grid and series leadership.
General Motors had even registered with the FIA to become an engine supplier in 2028. At face value, it would be a remarkable development for Formula One to turn away one of the largest OEMs in the world, especially when the series has gained mainstream appeal in the United States.
That is to say nothing of races held in Austin, Miami and Las Vegas.
While the FIA approved Andretti Global in July, Formula One took six months to complete its own review after the governing body gave the series a Wednesday decision to reach a decision.
“Our assessment process has established that the presence of an 11th team would not, in and of itself, provide value to the Championship,” F1 said in a statement.
In other words, taking the statement at face value, Formula One would only be interested in permitting Andretti Global a spot on the grid only once General Motors completes its engine. If allowed on the grid in 2025, the team would have to use another engine until 2028.
Michael Andretti is the son of 1978 Formula One champion and 1969 Indianapolis 500 winner Mario but Formula One says the name, even with a committed eventual engine manufacturer, isn’t enough.
“While the Andretti name carries some recognition for F1 fans, our research indicates that F1 would bring value to the Andretti brand rather than the other way around,” the statement added.
Formula One is governed by a document, the Concorde Agreement, that splits revenues between the current teams based on a formula that factors historical standing and recent performance. Effectively, the current 10 teams are not keen to permit another entrant unless it can boost the profile of the pre-existing competitors.
“The addition of an 11th team would place an operational burden on race promoters, would subject some of them to significant costs, and would reduce the technical, operational and commercial spaces of the other competitors,” F1 added.
The Formula One management group also does not believe Andretti would be competitive, or at least, that is what it claims.
The general perception to Formula One’s tactics is that of moving the figurative goal posts as Haas F1 was permitted entry in 2016 and then had to build a car under new regulations in 2017. Also, Andretti Global was the only applicant to have met all the written criteria to field a car in 2025.
The team had also already developed a prototype and partnered with an engine builder that met all the criteria for future engine regulations.
The next generation engine regulations and rules package for 2026 sets an emphasis on sustainable fuels and electric power. Six manufacturers have signed with the FIA to supple those engines, including newcomer Audi, which will partner with the Sauber team.
Ford has signed on with Red Bull and Honda plans its return as well.
Matt Weaver is a Motorsports Insider for Sportsnaut. Follow him on Twitter.