Are any new teams joining F1?
Yes. The only officially confirmed new entrant for 2026 is Andretti Global, backed by Cadillac power from General Motors. No other new teams have been officially announced for that year.
Formula 1 expansion has been a topic of intense interest for fans and stakeholders, with several groups reportedly exploring entry while the sport weighs financial and sporting requirements. This article outlines what is confirmed, what remains uncertain, and what it could mean for the 2026 grid and beyond.
Andretti Global: the confirmed newcomer
Key milestones and the current status of the 2026 entry are outlined below.
- Official approval to join F1 from the FIA for the 2026 season
- Team name: Andretti Global, based in the United States
- Powertrain: Cadillac-branded engine/drive-unit developed with General Motors backing
- Chassis and technical package: to be provided by a major F1-approved partner as part of 2026 rules (specific supplier announced in due course)
- Operations and footprint: planned US-centric base with integration into the wider Andretti motorsport ecosystem
Note: The entry is contingent on ongoing regulatory approvals, licensing, and compliance with F1's budget-cap rules ahead of the 2026 season.
What about other potential entrants?
Several groups have publicly expressed interest in joining F1, and a few submitted applications or inquiries as part of the expansion process. As of late 2025, no additional licenses for 2026 have been granted. The path for any further entrants depends on FIA licensing, commercial terms with Formula 1, and the teams’ ability to meet sporting and financial requirements.
- Interest from multiple regions has been reported, but formal licensing has not been issued to any second entrant for 2026
- Any additional teams would join the grid under the sport’s revenue-sharing and cost-control framework
Industry observers emphasize that while expansion remains a talking point, the qualification criteria, financial safeguards, and sporting integrity procedures will shape whether any other entrant can debut in 2026 or beyond.
What this means for fans and the sport
Adding a new team would alter on-track dynamics, sponsorship opportunities, and the economics of the sport. It would also influence logistics, calendar planning, and how revenue is distributed across the grid.
- Competition: a larger grid can intensify midfield battles and create fresh rivalries
- Economics: new entrants must fit within the cost cap and revenue-sharing model to ensure long-term sustainability
- Global reach: expansion could help F1 broaden its geographic footprint, especially in markets seeking a home team
For now, organizers are balancing expansion enthusiasm with discipline around licensing, budgetary constraints, and competitive fairness as they chart the sport’s future trajectory.
What to watch next
Follow these developments to gauge whether additional teams will join the 2026 grid or whether the focus shifts to broader expansion timelines, engine partnerships, and technical partnerships for future seasons.
Summary: The standout development is Andretti Global’s confirmed entry for 2026, with Cadillac’s backing, marking the sport’s most concrete expansion step in years. Other potential entrants remain unconfirmed, and F1 continues to navigate licensing, cost controls, and sporting integrity as it contemplates a broader, more global grid in the coming years.
