Horner on Cadillac's arrival: 'Welcome additional competition'
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- Corwin Kunst
In 2026, 22 cars will line up on the grid in F1. Cadillac will join the competition. After much discussion about whether an eleventh team should join, GM entering the sport is valued by the other team principals, including Christian Horner and Toto Wolff.
Teams in Formula 1 were quite reluctant for a long time. A new team would not increase the pie in terms of prize money, but it would be divided even further. Moreover, there were doubts whether a new team could be competitive. A new Manor or Caterham would be also less appealing, it was argued.
"Of course you always welcome competition. To have a manufacturer such as GM coming into Formula One first of all, is a very positive thing and should be welcomed with open arms. Certainly, we welcome the competition in what could be yet another fascinating battle again between two historic manufacturers," Horner said, referring to the fact that Red Bull are collaborating with Ford to create their engine for 2026.
Regarding the prize money, he said: "There's a process that's obviously been followed through. Inevitably, the Concorde is up for renewal. There is always a debate, ever since I've been in Formula One, about the split of revenue between the teams and the promoter. I'm sure that will rumble on for some time that maybe even GM will appreciate as well."
Wolff on GM/Cadillac
Toto Wolff explained when taking a look at the situation he always looks at from a Mercedes perspective. "The 11th team is very easy. I'm representing a team. I'm a statutory director of the Mercedes Grand Prix team, and I need to represent and do the best for the team. I've always said if a team, we like to be creative, as in value adding…absolutely because it's a no-brainer. You're a stakeholder. We're a team. We like the revenue to grow, we like the audiences to grow. Somebody comes in and says, 'I can do that'. Welcome, with open arms."
"Not that you need to [be told by the FIA], because the teams have nothing to say in that process. It's the FIA and the commercial rights holder that have to decide. But if you want to go to a party and you're not invited, at least make the case why you should be sitting on the table," said the Austrian about why Andretti failed in an earlier attempt.
This article was written in collaboration with Kada Sárközi
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