Michael Andretti hasn’t given up his hope of joining Formula 1 and with the recent announcement from the FIA that they are looking for new teams to join (coincidence on timing?), Andretti has announced they are seeking entry as a full works team with Cadillac as their partner.
According to press reports, Andretti was told to find a partner and the FIA might be interested in them. We’d advocated Andretti purchasing Haas, Sauber or even Alpha Tauri but perhaps it’s time to bring the full American contingent back to F1?
For years, people would say that Americans wil get interested if there is an American driver. We disagreed and I think we were proven correct. Then they said American’s would get interested if there was an American team and we said, most likely not. As Haas F1 garnered lots of American fans, it wasn’t the impact many believed it would be.
What we’ve said from day one is this:
“You can’t bring F1 to America, you have to take America to F1”
This news about Andretti is the closest thing to that. GM and Andretti going to F1. Now that is a combination of American team and American manufacturer that just might work but they’ll have to perform well. Here is the press release.
Andretti Autosport
INDIANAPOLIS and DETROIT (January 5, 2023) – Today Andretti Global and General Motors, two American powerhouses in the automotive and motorsport sectors, have announced their intent to pursue the opportunity to compete in the FIA Formula One World Championship. GM would be represented by the Cadillac brand. The Andretti Cadillac team would be based in the U.S. with a support facility in the U.K.
This reunites two iconic American companies with deep motorsports pedigrees and provides the opportunity to build on previous racing accomplishments while expanding international reach for both brands. F1 has seen consistent growth globally and most recently in the U.S. with 2023 races in Austin, Miami and Las Vegas. 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.
Cadillac V-Series has a legacy of success on the track in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Pirelli World Challenge. Since 2017, Cadillac has been competing at the forefront of American sports car racing in IMSA, achieving numerous wins, podiums, and championships with the Cadillac DPi-V.R. Cadillac will continue in sports car racing with the all-new hybrid Cadillac V-LMDh, which will compete globally in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and FIA World Endurance Championship.
Andretti Global is a global racing enterprise and parent company to Andretti Autosport and other Andretti racing ventures. Andretti racing teams currently compete in seven different top-tier series worldwide and have found success in each avenue of competition. Andretti and GM last paired for the return of Chevrolet to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2012, together capturing nine wins across two seasons. The pairing additionally claimed the Driver, Team and Manufacturer titles in 2012.
Michael Andretti, Chairman and CEO, Andretti Global:
“We are continuing to grow Andretti Global and its family of racing teams and always have our eyes on what’s next. I feel that we are well 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.
“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.”
Mark Reuss, President, General Motors:
“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.”
Ah, but can GM make the engine? Or will they be buying — who could they buy from?
Yeah, that’s the big question. At first I was wondering if it is a naming partner for marketing or an actual engine production partner. :)
As far as I understood they plan to buy the engine from one of the existing manufactures. Which is a bit of a bummer, sounds like a Sauber – Alfa Romeo thing. Andretti will be the team who does it, car will be labeled a Cadillac, but will have a third party engine.
But still that partnership might be hard to reject by FIA.
Yeah, digging in to it a little more, it seems they are looking to partner. Honda might make most sense given Indy tie-up. You never know. This could be the red Bull TAG engine program all over again. :)
Wouldn’t Renault make more sense? There is much less overlap in road car models between Renault and Cadillac, while Honda and GM are big competitors on the American car market. Why would Honda help GM to push the Cadillac brand? Can you even buy Renaults in the US?
I’ve always wondered if Cadillac drivers really care or even know about the IMSA program. I guess if it doesn’t work out they can just change the emblem to Chevy or Corvetter, maybe even Buick for China.