The sight of sections of empty seats in the stands during qualifying here in Las Vegas suggests that the new Formula 1 race, now in its second year, has yet to fully convince punters.

You also won’t hear many kind words about the Sin City grand prix from those involved in the sport; exhausted at the end of the longest season in Formula 1 history, and now working nights while trying to combat jet lag during the days due to crazy session schedules, patience wears thin at first of a final triple header.

But one thing is certain. Formula 1’s footprint on this side of the Atlantic continues to grow. And it’s about to get even bigger.

General Motors’ potential addition to the 2026 Formula 1 grid as the 11th team, wearing the Cadillac badge, is “imminent”, at least according to McLaren’s American CEO Zak Brown, who says he has seen executives from the manufacturer from Detroit walking around the paddock in 2026. Vegas with “big smiles on their faces.”

If it’s true – and The telegraph has spoken to people involved with the fledgling team who say they aren’t counting their pools but are “optimistic” – it marks a stunning turn of events after a bid was rejected earlier this year when It was submitted under the banner of the American motorsport team Andretti.

On this occasion, the application was accepted by the FIA ​​but refused by the sport itselfpartly due to pressure from teams who believed Andretti would dilute their share of profits more than increase them.

There are several reasons for this about-face. First of all, the departures of Michael Andretti – son of former F1 world champion Mario Andretti – on the one hand, and of Greg Maffei, until last week CEO of Formula 1 owner Liberty Media, on the other. The relationship between the Andrettis and Liberty had become very strained, with key figures in the sport believing that Michael was far too pushy in his approach. Removing these two elements from the equation appears to have significantly greased the wheels of the deal.

Second, and perhaps more importantly, the U.S. Department of Justice began taking an interest in Andretti’s rejected request earlier this year. In August, Liberty was forced to admit that it was in fact under investigation by the DOJ for antitrust reasons. The prospect of going before the US Congress to explain why it was impossible to accept an 11th team that would contribute to the growth of the sport on this side of the Atlantic – something F1 is openly enthusiastic about – could only sharpen the nerves. spirits. The re-election of Donald Trump maybe that helped too.

Third, the rebranding of the deal as a GM-backed deal, rather than Andretti, with GM eventually supplying the powertrains themselves later (they should be a customer team initially, but discussions have already taken place between them). and Ferrari/Mercedes, with Honda obligated to supply engines if all else fails since they currently supply the fewest teams).

Either way, it looks like all systems are working now. Which is a good thing, because the team persevered from the start, even after having their application rejected in February, confident that it would eventually be accepted. Around 270 people are already working on the project, on both sides of the Atlantic.

“I kind of know what I hear in the rumors,” Brown told Sky Sports F1 in the Vegas paddock on Friday. “We haven’t been told anything officially, but we’re partnering with GM with our IndyCar team, so I’ve seen them here and they seem to have big smiles on their faces.

“So I think an announcement is probably imminent and it will be exciting to see another manufacturer alongside Audi join our sport (also in 2026).”

With an American team at Haas already in the sport, three American races now on the schedule (Austin, Miami and Las Vegas), Ford joining Red Bull as a partner in 2026, and now a true OEM (original equipment manufacturer ) potentially joined. , all we need now is a competitive American driver and we will truly have a full house in Las Vegas.