Formula One could expand to 12 teams now that General Motors' brand Cadillac has been accepted as the 11th from 2026, according to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Formula One has always had provision for 12 in the rules but there was strong opposition from commercial rights holder Liberty Media and existing teams to going beyond 10 before a deal was reached.

General Motors' entry into F1 is the latest, biggest sign of F1's surge in the U.S. — and an opportunity to seize the American fan base.

Here's why Formula 1's decision to allow a GM backed Cadillac team as the 11th entry on the grid makes a lot of sense.

General Motors plans to enter Formula One with Cadillac in 2026, partnering with TWG Global and Mario Andretti. They will be the first new team since 2016 and the sixth engine maker.

Formula 1 could expand to 12 teams now that Cadillac has been accepted as the 11th from 2026, says FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

General Motors and Cadillac face a “monumental task” to get ready to compete in Formula One for 2026, even if they could in theory get a head start on some design work, leading series figures said. The announcement last week General Motors’ Cadillac brand will be joining the grid as the 11th team from 2026 has been broadly greeted by drivers.