Legendary driver Mario Andretti will play a major role in the new Cadillac F1 team venture amid his son’s recent step down from leadership.
Formula 1 has officially confirmed General Motors entry into the F1 arena and the legendary former F1 champion, will play a pivotal role as a director on the board of the new Cadillac F1 team.
With the GM-backed Cadillac F1 team set to join the grid in 2026, Andretti’s involvement brings a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted connection to the sport that he has loved for decades.
Mario Andretti’s storied career in racing began long before his championship win in 1978, which marked him as the last American driver to claim the Formula 1 World Championship title.
The journey to this point has been anything but straightforward. Initially, Mario’s son and influential American motorsport figure Michael Andretti spearheaded an application for Andretti Global to join the F1 grid.
Despite receiving approval from the FIA, the proposal faced rejection from Formula One Management (FOM), which expressed concerns about the value that the Andretti name would bring to the series.
The setback was further compounded by a lack of commitment from existing teams regarding the dilution of prize money that would accompany the addition of a new competitor.
While FOM did note that it would be interested in General Motors joining the sport as a manufacturer or power unit supplier, later Mario Andretti revealed that Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei vowed that he would never allow Michael to join F1.
The rejection ultimately led Michael to step back from his leadership role in what had been envisioned as an Andretti Global team as co-owner Dan Towriss took charge. Now, they have dropped the name and the outfit is currently being referred as “TWG Global” — the company that owns Andretti Global.
The name change alongside General Motors’ renewed commitment to entering Formula 1 as a manufacturer shifted the landscape dramatically. The company has now pledged to field the Cadillac F1 team in 2026 and develop its own power unit by the end of the decade.
The shift away from the Andretti name towards a GM-backed Cadillac team represents a strategic pivot aimed at consolidating support and resources while maintaining the essence of what the Andretti legacy stands for.
Mario Andretti’s presence on the board serves as a vital link to that legacy. His extensive knowledge of Formula 1 dynamics, coupled with his understanding of American motorsport culture positions him uniquely to guide Cadillac F1 team through its entry into this highly competitive arena.
His role will involve not only involve team oversight but also advocacy for American drivers and innovations that could emerge from the partnership.
In his statement, Andretti expressed his excitement about partnering with Cadillac and being part of a project that reignites his passion for racing after decades.
“My first love was Formula 1 and now – 70 years later – the F1 paddock is still my happy place,” Mario Andretti said in the official press release. “I’m absolutely thrilled with Cadillac, Formula 1, Mark Walter, and Dan Towriss.
“To still be involved at this stage of my life — I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.”
Meanwhile, Michael Andretti’s role in this new arrangement has changed significantly. After stepping back from active management of Andretti Global, he will no longer be directly involved in the Cadillac F1 team project.
However, he remains supportive of those who will carry forward this ambitious endeavor.
“The Cadillac F1 Team is made up of a strong group of people that have worked tirelessly to build an American works team,” Michael Andretti wrote on X.
“I’m very proud of the hard work they have put in and congratulate all involved on this momentous next step. I will be cheering for you!”
As discussions surrounding Cadillac F1 team drivers begin, there is speculation about potential candidates who could embody both American talent and experience within this new framework.
While Michael Andretti had previously focused on securing American drivers like Colton Herta, it remains to be seen how this strategy may evolve under Dan Towriss’ leadership as CEO of TWG Global.
