Andretti-General Motors F1 bid receives backing from unlikely source

The Andretti-General Motors Formula 1 entry bid has received backing from an unlikely source - Ford.

Andretti has been trying to secure a slot on the F1 grid with GM set to enter F1 for the first time through its Cadillac brand. 

However, despite meeting the FIA technical and sporting threshold, F1 itself rejected Andretti-Cadillac on the basis that it felt the team did not understand the scale of the challenge of entering F1, nor would it add any significant value to the championship. 

The door was kept ajar on the project for 2028, should GM be able to provide a working power unit at which time, Andretti's entry would be re-considered, with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, an early backer of the bid, now telling Andretti that its best bet to getting on the grid would be to buy one of the existing teams.

Andretti is continuing with its preparations, including with a new campus at Silverstone as well as hiring Pat Symonds from F1 to beef up its technical department.

Whilst GM has never entered F1, old rival Ford has previous experience, and will be back in 2026 as engine partner to Red Bull, with motorsport boss Mark Rushbrook welcoming GM's attempts.

"We go racing to compete against other manufacturers, and there’s already a lot of manufacturers in Formula 1," Rushbrook told The Associated Press.

 "We’d certainly love to welcome General Motors into the sport. They have that ability to come in as a power unit manufacturer independent of any specific team.

"They could partner with any of the existing 10 teams. So we welcome them, for sure. 

"And the same for Andretti, we certainly don’t have anything against Andretti."

GM respond

On social media, Rushbrook's counterpart at GM Mark Reuss responded to his comments - opening the invitation for Ford to enter IndyCar.

"Thank you Mark Rushbrook — and we would welcome Ford to IndyCar for enhancing American open-wheel racing as well," wrote Reuss.

The two do currently compete against one another in NASCAR with Ford having its Mustang model with GM's Chevrolet bringing the Camaro to the track. 

Between them, the two have won the last four championships with the Team Penske (Ford) and Hendrick Motorsports (Chevrolet).