GM moving closer to F1 entry with revived Andretti bid

A General Motors-backed bid to enter Formula One as an 11th team in 2026 is now looking more likely to succeed after being previously rejected, multiple sources said on Friday.

Liberty Media-owned Formula One ruled out the Andretti bid in January, doubting it would be competitive or add value, but kept a door open for 2028 when GM would be able to provide an engine.

The U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee launched an investigation into possible "anticompetitive conduct".

The landscape has since changed with Michael Andretti, a former F1 racer and 1991 CART champion as well as being son of 1978 F1 champion Mario, announcing in September he was taking a step back from his day-to-day operational role in Andretti Global.

Andretti, who remains an advisor and is still involved in the F1 project, has handed over to business partner Dan Towriss, who has been in the Las Vegas paddock ahead of this weekend's grand prix - the third in the United States this year.

Liberty Media are also going through change, with long-time chief executive Greg Maffei stepping down at the end of the year.

The teams are sounding more open, providing there is a clear benefit to the sport.

"I think if a team can add to the championship, particularly if GM decides to come in as a team owner, that is a different story," Mercedes team boss and co-owner Toto Wolff told a press conference when asked how positions had changed.

"And as long as it is creative, that means we're growing the popularity of the sport, we're growing the revenue of the sport, then no team will be ever against it. So I'm putting my hope in there," he said.

Wolff made clear, however, that the teams were not the ones making the decision. The governing FIA approved the application