Michael Andretti’s racing team and US car manufacturer General Motors are working together: the Andretti and Cadillac brands are intended to enrich Formula 1 – positive reaction from the FIA, the world autosport association.
Formula 1 should start with more racing teams than with the current ten teams. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA World Autosport Association, recently stated that the doors would be opened to interested parties.
One man is holding the handle of this door: Michael Andretti. The son of US racing legend Mario Andretti confirmed on January 5 a project with General Motors – Andretti is to enter Formula 1 with the American automaker as a partner, specifically with the Cadillac brand.
In Fishers (Indiana) Andretti is building a new race and technology center, which should be ready for occupancy in 2025 – with all racing series in which Andretti is active under one roof. So IndyCar, IndyLights and IMSA, Andretti is also active in rallycross, in Formula E and in Extreme E.
Andretti Global’s entry into Formula 1 will include plants in the USA and England.
Michael Andretti has been trying to get his racing team into Formula 1 for years. The boom in the premier class in the USA – fueled by the Netflix series “Drive to Survive” – is the right time for this. In 2023, three Formula 1 World Championship races will take place in the USA, in Miami, in Austin and in Las Vegas. A fourth race is to be added in the medium term.
Andretti and General Motors confirm that a letter of intent will be submitted to the FIA once the formal registration process has been finalized in Paris.
Andretti and General Motors also confirm that at least one of the two drivers will be American. Mario Andretti thinks the only 22-year-old Colton Herta from California is the most suitable man.
The Cadillac brand has been active in IMSA sport since 2017 and has won the endurance classic from Daytona several times.
Michael Andretti: “We are continuing to expand Andretti Global and believe that the time is ripe for a commitment to Formula 1 and for another team in the premier class. We are very proud to have General Motors and Cadillac as partners. We want to start as a real American team. We are now following the procedures specified by the FIA.”
General Motors boss Mark Reuss: “It is an honor for us to tackle this project together with Andretti Global. This will be an exciting new chapter in our company’s rich motorsport history.
FIA boss Mohammed Ben Sulayem: “It is currently being clarified how exactly the registration process should go. The news from the US is a testament to the increasing popularity and growth of Formula 1 in the US. We are particularly pleased about the interest shown by two well-known brands such as General Motors and Cadillac.”
The FIA intends to provide information on how the registration process should look in the coming months.
A new generation of engines will be introduced in Formula 1 in 2026. Then Audi will also enter the premier class, with Sauber as a chassis partner.