Andretti opens up about his role at the Cadillac F1 team
The last US F1 world champion Mario Andretti has opened up about his role at the newly-formed Cadillac F1 outfit, also reflecting on his son's Michael Andretti's decision to step away from the business.
Although Formula One first rejected Andretti's bid to join the sport last year, a new team was granted an entry last December. Michael Andretti, who was initially the key figure behind the project, stepped back, and the new team is owned by General Motors and TWG Global.
The new outfit is yet to be confirmed by the FIA, but the owners reached an agreement in principle with the Formula 1's Commercial Rights' Holder, the FOM to bring a Cadillac team to the series in 2026.
Although the US car giant will build its own F1 power unit that will put the Cadillac Formula 1 Team on the path to being a “full works” team , it will be powered by Ferrari's engines for at least in the first two years.
General Motors has also confirmed that Graeme Lowdon would join the fray as team principal for the new Cadillac F1 team.
In addition, former Williams technical leader Pat Symonds, who has recently served as Chief Technical Officer for Formula One, joined the American team at its new Silverstone base of operations after completing his gardening leave at Formula One Management.
Although his son stepped back from the business, former Formula One world champion Mario Andretti will be involed a the new Cadillac outfit, taking on an advisory role.
Reflecting on his new role, the USA's last F1 champion said: “That’s the beautiful thing, that I have a reason to stay involved and feel like I have a home there.
“A lot of it started with Michael becoming a team owner, otherwise I wouldn’t have had a home at all these different disciplines. This sport is still our life.”
He continued: “Michael is stepping aside a little bit, trying to enjoy life in a different way. But I still like to have involvement, and when I was invited to still be with the Cadillac team and have some say about drivers and all that — that’s what interests me more than anything.”