Ford has thrown its considerable weight behind the Andreti-Cadillac partnership's bid for inclusion in Formula 1, an effort that currently seems unlikely to succeed.
Liberty Media and most of the existing teams appear committed to preventing any new teams from joining, keeping the number of teams on the grid at ten.
In the political realm, both the US Congress and Senate are raising concerns that F1's exclusivity might amount to "cartel-like" and "anti-competitive" practices that could violate US laws.
"I was surprised to see that Andretti have gone down this process," commented Christian Horner, head of the Red Bull team, on the ongoing legal reviews in the US.
"If they really want to find a way onto the grid they will find it, and I think the most natural solution is for them to acquire an existing franchise should one want to sell."
Horner also noted that "the worst team in Formula 1 probably has a billion-dollar valuation," indicating the high financial barriers for new entrants like Andretti.
Despite these fiscal challenges, introducing an eleventh team could potentially reduce the financial value and earnings share of the current teams.
Yet, Ford, partnering with Red Bull on their 2026 F1 engine program, supports General Motors' Cadillac in their quest to enter the elite racing series. Mark Rushbrook, Ford's global performance director, voiced this backing while traveling to Monaco.
"We go racing to compete against other manufacturers, and there's already a lot of manufacturers in Formula 1, but we'd certainly love to welcome General Motors into the sport," he expressed to the AP news agency.
"We were able to come in as an American company - there weren't any roadblocks," Rushbrook continued. "Gene Haas has been able to come in as a team with no roadblocks against him."
"So it is possible to find a way into the sport, it's a matter of how you choose to enter the sport."
Mark Reuss, president of GM, acknowledged this support appreciatively.
"Thank you Mark Rushbrook," he responded. "And we would welcome Ford to Indycar to help enhance American open-wheel racing as well."
Nevertheless, Rushbrook concurs with Horner that GM might consider alternative routes into F1, such as purchasing an existing team or becoming an engine supplier.
"They have that ability to come in as a power unit manufacturer independent of any specific team - they could partner with any of the existing ten teams," he mentioned.
"So we welcome them, for sure. And same for Andretti. We certainly don't have anything against Andretti."
