McLaren hint at ‘imminent’ new F1 team announcement

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has stated he expects confirmation of a new team joining the F1 grid to be “imminent”.

RacingNews365 revealed during the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend that an effort with heavy involvement from General Motors (GM) is gaining traction.

GM is set to join the grid for the 2026 F1 campaign when new technical regulations will come into play.

While the major automotive company has a vast history in motorsport, it has never ventured into F1 - however that looks set to change in just over one year.

“They've got a great history in motorsports, General Motors,” Brown told Sky F1. 

“So I think it's great, more competition. It’s something for the fans to get excited about. 

“They love new grands prix, new power units, new racing teams, new racing drivers. So it’s exciting.”

Brown has experience working with GM's Chevrolet division through the McLaren IndyCar team and suggested an announcement will likely soon be made.

“We’ve not been officially told anything,” Brown added. “We partner with GM with our IndyCar team.

“They seem to have big smiles on their face, so I believe an announcement is probably imminent.

“It will be exciting to have another manufacturer alongside Audi in our sport.”

GM's F1 entry will see it become the second US-licenced team on the grid after Haas, who is currently the sport's youngest squad following its debut in 2016.

F1's involvement in the US has been bolstered in recent years with two new races added in Miami and Las Vegas.

Ford will also enter F1 in 2026 in a partnership with Red Bull to create a new power unit.

Brown stated GM's commitment to F1, which it already pledged earlier this year through Andretti Global's proposed entry, continues to show the growth of the sport in the US.

“We need to remember that the Ford is coming in,” Brown highlighted. “So you actually have two US manufacturers, which is great.

“They'll bring a lot of awareness to the sport, hopefully some sponsorship that invests in the sport. 

“It’d be great to see an American driver once again. I think that will take some time.”