Herbert: Formula 1 and General Motors is a win-win situation for all

Despite the FIA rubber-stamping the Michael Andretti led project to be the 11th team. However. batting for the teams, Formula 1 told them to try again in 2028. But since then much has transpired behind the scenes which resulted in Michael Andretti stepping back.

Not long after that, Formula 1 relented and suddenly saw the logic and need for that 11th team that no one appeared to want. In 2026, want it or not the GM effort, probably branded Cadillac will become the second American team in the top flight.

A decision heralded by Herbert, who told the media team at Prime Casino: "General Motors and Cadillac's arrival is a win-win situation for F1. I hope this is a full-on assault to the sport that challenges the status quo. It is brilliant for F1.

"The thing I liked when Michael Andretti was originally trying to get an 11th team in was the fact that it opens up space for another two drivers to get onto the grid. Now we have General Motors, we have exactly that.

"It is an American manufacturer on the grid adding to the whole F1 bubble that we have at the moment. It is a really positive thing for the American market and the global market for F1 to have a brand like Cadillac on board. They have done a lot of sports cars and always had a history in motorsport as a whole. It is just a great addition and it’s wonderful. This is the positive news we were all hoping for."

“In the longer term this could be the opportunity to bring on the next American driver. That is something that needs to be worked on to have the right American talent pool available to come through into F1. Cadillac could be the catalyst for that possible journey to F1 for a young American," ventured Herbert.

With the sport booming in the USA since the advent of the Netflix F1-generation, hooked on Drive to Survived and wanting more. They now have a serious effort to cheer for in the near future.

Herbert continued: “It is a win-win situation with one of the biggest global brands coming into the sport and a possible American driving for them. That’s a heady combination. You can’t overestimate the importance of having Mario [Andretti] being a part of it with the history he has in the sport and as a former world champion. This just adds so much credibility to the whole operation.

“I want to see this as a successful challenge to the status quo, where they win races and challenge for the championship. I don't want this just to be a half-hearted attempt. I hope this will be a full assault on F1."

What about an American driver? Herbert reckoned: “There is no American driver as yet that the team would say, ‘He is what we need in the car.’ You never know if Logan Sargeant could get a reprieve but he did not set the world on fire. Hence he got dropped."

"Someone like Carlos Sainz would add a lot to a programme like that," ventured Herbert. "Then add in someone from the young driver pool which F1 is lucky enough to have at the moment. Maybe someone like Isack Hadjar.”

The US car giant can help boost the growing popularity of F1 in America and can compete with the very best teams such as Ferrari. McLaren and Mercedes.

Herbert continued: “It is great because we have just come off the back of the second Las Vegas Grand Prix which was a success and that really helps the American market grow. More than 300,000 went over the weekend and that shows the enormous growth potential for the sport in the United States.

“To have a manufacturer like Cadillac on board is only going to spread the good news around America quicker than it has ever done.

“It is lovely having traditional marques like Ferrari being successful in F1, but when it’s your own American team it adds something extra special in a Formula that has not yet been dominated by an American manufacturer.

"Maybe now it is the right time for that to happen. It can only be a huge positive for Cadillac as a brand to be involved in F1," added Herbert.

Earlier this week, Liberty Media President and CEO Greg Maffei announced: ““We credit the leadership of General Motors and their partners with significant progress in their readiness to enter Formula 1. We are excited to move forward with the application process for the GM/Cadillac team to enter the Championship in 2026," concluded Maffei's statement.