The recently authorized Cadillac F1 team, which places a well-known American automaker with racing partner Andretti Global on the grid in 2026, will have former Formula 1 world champion Mario Andretti as a director on the board.
The journey was arduous and protracted. The business side of Formula One rejected Andretti Global’s bid in early 2024. However, the racing team is finally getting its chance, albeit under the GM and Cadillac brands, when investor Dan Towriss took over the company from his son, Michael Andretti, and GM increased its obligations.
In an interview with NBC News, a jubilant Mario Andretti talked about realizing his dream and his position on the new team, which involves technical and driver selection advice. Before 2028, when it intends to have a Cadillac power unit, he said the team is in talks with Ferrari to construct an engine for the first two years. According to him, the goal is to start with one young American talent and one seasoned Formula One driver.
Due to its global scope, he claimed that Formula 1 is truly the Olympics of motorsports. As a result, it is associated with a great deal of national pride. And unlike any other nation on Earth, we have three races. And to have your own squad competing, similar to how the National Anthem plays when you reach the top of the podium during your own Olympic performance.
The transcript, which has been slightly adjusted for length and clarity, is of Andretti’s exclusive interview with NBC News on the day of the Formula One announcement on Monday.
Mario, congrats on the significant discovery. How do you feel?
Among other things, relieved. The fact that everything has finally come together correctly and that everyone is content makes me very happy. That’s the key point, then. I’m particularly happy that we were able to deliver to the team that had already been put together, where some people simply had faith in us and took a risk by committing. They have a future now. Very significant right now for all of us. At this point, the focus is solely on the project and the difficulties that lie ahead. However, we enjoy this. Thus, it could not be more ideal. You can’t imagine how relieved I am that this has all happened.
You’ve had this dream for a long time.
Yes, exactly. Let’s be honest, Sahil, when I was still a kid in Italy, I developed a deep affection for Formula 1. A teenager. For me, that was the beginning of it all. Having the chance to pursue the sport, traveling to the United States, and then going for Formula 1—all of it. Nobody I know is as passionate about the sport as I am. I’ll defy anyone to adore it more than I do, perhaps even more. I’m all in, then. And this is my life’s work. Isn’t that lovely? The sun is out.
Mario, tell me about your role. You will serve on the board as a director. What does that signify? Will it resemble Niki Lauda’s work with Mercedes?
That’s about it. They obviously attempted to capitalize on my experience and the range of driver and even technical skills that I observe. My family is the sport. I have been involved in a lot of that for a long time, and I still am. That’s it. I don’t want a job where I have to report for work every day. I don’t want or need that. However, I’m excited about the chance to participate in many important decisions. This is my specialty.
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What part does Andretti Global play? It appears that Cadillac will eventually produce the engine and power unit, while Andretti will build the vehicle. Or is it more intricate?
No, it isn’t. That’s precisely how things will be. Nothing changes in that regard. Unbelievably, a lot of work has already been done, and the staff is fully committed.
For some months, Andretti’s attempt to join Formula One had been on hold. Which factors contributed to this discovery?
It’s challenging to pinpoint. I could go back and bring up incidents and other things, but I don’t really want to talk about any of that because some of it wasn’t pleasant. That is all in the past now. Now we only look forward. It did occur, and it did so correctly. Everyone, even my son Michael, is content. That is the most crucial aspect. Nobody is weakened or harmed.
When will this team be able to operate as a working team with its own power unit? Although it wasn’t mentioned in the news release, I’ve heard that 2028 is the goal.
The procedure is now underway. In 2026, we’ll be on the grid, and Cadillac will be fully involved. The power unit will continue to be developed. Cadillac will play a significant role in the team’s completion and operation by 2026.
Therefore, it is reasonable to state that 2028 is the goal for the original power unit.
That is the goal, and it will be accomplished.
In the early years of 2026 and 2027, which engine do you anticipate being used? There were reports that you might employ a Ferrari engine in the Las Vegas paddock. Is that correct?
That s what we re talking about. That s not definite yet, but that s the objective. And that s the preference.
That could put you in a fantastic position in 2026 with the new regulations if Ferrari gets it together.
Of course. Evenmy history with Ferrari,and my relationshipwith Mr. Ferrari all of it plays, plays tremendously. There s so many factors here that make a lot of sense. It will be best of all worlds.
Are you considering or talking to other suppliers for the engine early on, whether it s Mercedes or anyone else?
Not yet, no.
OK. Sounds like Ferrari is the priority in the early years.
We re staying with that objective.
What realistically do you think you can achieve in 2026 and 27? Do you think a championship is in the cards, or is that too soon?
You always try to reach for the stars. From my standpoint, that s always been my approach. If you don t have that mindset, then you re not ever going to succeed. That s your best chance to really go out there and perform at the best possible level.
For F1 s U.S. audience, this is a huge deal finally an American car manufacturer and a well-known racing team Andretti. What does it mean for the country?
Formula 1 is really the Olympics of motorsports, because of the international nature of it. As a result, it is associated with a great deal of national pride. And we have three races like no other country on the planet has. And to have your own team playing, just like when you have our own performers in the Olympics the National Anthem will play when you re the top step of the podium. So that s what you re looking for. Let s face it, that s what you re in the business for. That creates that type of excitement. The fans will expect a lot from us, and we understand that. We expect a lot from ourselves.
What about the first national anthem, for the driver? Do you expect to prioritize finding American drivers, like Colton Herta? Who are you looking at?
Right now, I think yes. You mentioning candidates he s definitely one that s considered. I think you have to keep those options open, since it s going to be a whole next season where we re not going to be players.
I talked to some young drivers and some veterans about this in the paddock in Las Vegas. Valtteri Bottas, the 10-time race winner, said he might be interested in a Cadillac F1 seat. Liam Lawson, the young RB driver, said it d be great to have two more seats on the grid. What s the impact of that?
They said it all. There are more drivers available than teams at the moment. Ten teams seems a lot, but there s a lot more drivers, lot more talent out there. From our standpoint, I think the play at the beginning would be to have one experienced driver nationality doesn t matter and then a young American talent. These are the objectives at the moment.
Mario, thank you so much for your time. It s a pleasure, and congratulations on the big breakthrough.
And thank you for your interest.
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