Andretti has formally announced it intends to submit an entry to compete in the Formula 1 world championship in collaboration with General Motors brand Cadillac.
The two companies plan to submit an Expression of Interest when the FIA begins the process which was announced by President Mohammed Ben Sulayem last week.
Michael Andretti – former F1 driver, IndyCar champion and son of 1978 F1 champion Mario Andretti – has long sought an opportunity to enter F1. Andretti Global announced the construction of a major new headquarters in Indianapolis last year. Its F1 operation would be based in the US with a “support facility” in the UK.
“We are continuing to grow Andretti Global and its family of racing teams and always have our eyes on what’s next,” said Andretti. “I feel that we are well suited to be a new team for Formula 1 and can bring value to the series and our partners, and excitement for the fans.”
Andretti’s team has previously worked with GM in IndyCar, when it used Chevrolet engines in 2012. “I’m proud to have GM and Cadillac alongside us as we pursue this goal,” Andretti continued. “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.”
The FIA is yet to confirm how its process for admitting new teams will be structured. Andretti said “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 1 contender.”
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Ben Sulayem immediately responded to Andretti’s announcement on social media. “I welcome the news of the Cadillac Andretti partnership and the FIA looks forward to further discussions on the FIA F1 World Championship Expressions of Interest process,” he said.
Feature: What happened to the last 10 new teams to enter Formula 1?Cadillac has not previously competed in Formula 1. The announcement did not specify whether the carmaker intends to produce its own power unit or brand the operation.
GM president Mark Reuss said the car making giant “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.”
F1 has grown its audience in America in recent years and will hold three rounds in the country this season. “Cadillac and F1 both have growing global appeal,” Reuss continued. “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.”
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