The Formula One grid is set to expand in 2026 as General Motors moves to the top international racing series.
According to a press release on Monday, F1 and General Motors reached an agreement in principle to bring an 11th team to the starting grid in 2026. The new team will be branded as GM/Cadillac.
GM will also become an engine supplier at some point after moving into F1. For now, per Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press, the new team will use Ferrari engines as it begins to compete against the existing powerhouse organizations.
"General Motors is a huge global brand and powerhouse in the OEM world and is working with impressive partners," said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem in a statement.
"I am fully supportive of the efforts made by the FIA, Formula 1, GM, and the team to maintain dialogue and work towards this outcome of an agreement in principle to progress this application to bring a GM/Cadillac branded team on the grid for the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship.
"All parties, including the FIA, will continue to work together to ensure the process progresses smoothly."
A fully American team moving into F1 has been a possibility for years, but the process has featured controversy. Liberty Media, the commercial rights holder of F1, denied the application of the team, which Michael Andretti originally started. This led to an investigation by the Justice Department.
Andretti wrote an open letter to his fans on Oct. 7 and said that he was stepping back from the team and "passing the baton" to Dan Towriss. He said that he would be at the race track less in the future as he spends time with his family, but he noted that he would still be an advisor for the team.
Nearly two months after Andretti stepped back from the team, the agreement in principle was announced. Now the stage is set for a fully-American team to compete in F1.
"The Cadillac F1 Team is made up of a strong group of people that have worked tirelessly to build an American works team," Andretti posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, on Monday.
"I'm very proud of the hard work they have put in and congratulate all involved on this momentous next step. I will be cheering for you!"