Andretti Global, a global racing enterprise and parent company to Andretti Autosport, and General Motors (GM), represented by the Cadillac brand, have partnered intending to enter the FIA Formula One World Championship.
According to the official press release, the new squad would be named Andretti Cadillac Team, with headquarters in the U.S. and a support facility in the U.K.
Moreover, the release outlines the “Andretti Cadillac team is planning to submit an Expression of Interest when the FIA opens the formal process. If selected, the team is seeking to compete as soon as practical with at least one American driver.”
Michael Andretti, Chairman and CEO of Andretti Global, stated: “We are continuing to grow Andretti Global and its family of racing teams and always have our eyes on what’s next.”
“I feel very strongly that we are suited to be a new team for Formula One and can bring value to the series and our partners and excitement for the fans. I’m proud to have GM and Cadillac alongside us as we pursue this goal. GM and Andretti share a legacy born out of the love of racing. We now have the opportunity to combine our motorsport passions and dedication to innovation to build a true American F1 bid.”
Adding: “Together, we will continue to follow procedures and steps put forth by the FIA during the evaluation process. In the meantime, we continue to optimistically prepare should we be fortunate enough to have Andretti Cadillac formally approved as a Formula One contender.”
Early this month, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem made public through his Twitter account his request to the FIA “to look at launching an Expression of Interest process for prospective new teams for the FIA F1 World Championship.”
Last year, Michael Andretti had already voiced his intention to enter the pinnacle of motorsport, finding resistance from some Formula One teams to expanding the grid to 11 teams.
The American brand competes in seven series around the globe, including the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, Extreme E, IMSA, and INDY NXT.
Following the American powerhouses’ announcement, Ben Sulayem twitted: “I welcome the news of the Cadillac and Andretti Global partnership, and the FIA looks forward to further discussions on the FIA F1 World Championship Expressions of Interest process.”
Furthermore, Mark Reuss, President of General Motors, commented: “General Motors is honored to team with Andretti Global on this historic moment in racing. We have a long, rich history in motorsports and engineering innovation, and we are thrilled with the prospect of pairing with Andretti Global to form an American F1 team that will help spur even more global interest in the series and the sport.”
“Cadillac and F1 both have growing global appeal. Our brand has a motorsports pedigree that’s more than a century in the making, and we would be proud to have the opportunity to bring our distinct American innovation and design to F1.”
Cadillac has a strong presence in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, having entered the series in 2017, building ever since successful campaigns with the Cadillac DPi-V.R, recording victories and podiums, which led to achieving championships.
The brand will continue to compete in IMSA globally with its all-new hybrid Cadillac V-LMDh and in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
The Andretti Legacy
Mario Andretti, 82, one of the greatest drivers of all time, stands to this day as the only driver in history to win the Daytona 500 (1967), the iconic Indy 500 (1969), and the FIA F1 World Championship in 1978.
In addition, he won four titles racing in the American series IndyCar.
Competing in endurance, he became a three-time winner of the 12 Hours of Sebring (1967, 1970, 1972) and triumphed (1972) in the 24 Hours of Daytona.
He also contested the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans on several occasions, scoring his best result in 1995, finishing in second place.
The talented, skillful driver became an icon, a referent synonymous with motorsport.
His son, Michael, would also become a professional driver, but his major success would come through his business skills, leading Andretti Autosport, founded in 1994, and the rest is history.
However, the need for speed keeps running in the family, expanding through generations.