Motorsport legend Mario Andretti, the patriarch of the Andretti racing dynasty, will be back in Formula 1 in 2026, serving as director of the GM-Cadillac F1 team.
On Monday, Formula 1 announced that it has approved in principle the entry into the sport as an eleventh team of GM and Cadillac.
The groundbreaking news brings to an end a year-long saga drenched in drama and fraught with fiery tensions between Andretti Global and Formula 1.
It all began when Andretti Global applied to join the grid, securing the FIA's blessing but slamming headfirst into rejection from Liberty Media's commercial arm.
The sticking point? Doubts over whether Andretti could deliver enough value to the sport or measure up to the fierce competitiveness of F1.
But the game-changing commitment by GM to field a works outfit and design its own power unit down the road has proven to be the tipping point that has shattered the deadlock between all the concerned parties.
“My first love was Formula 1 and now — 70 years later — the F1 paddock is still my happy place,” commented 1978 F1 World Champion Mario Andretti.
“I'm absolutely thrilled with Cadillac, Formula 1, Mark Walter (TWG Global investor), 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.”
On Monday evening, Mario took to social media to express his enthusiasm about being involved with GM's endeavor.
"I feel very lucky that I've been able to stick around for this long and do what I love for so long," he added. "And the idea that the Cadillac F1 Team wants me around....I'll help where I can, a non-executive role with the team, not involved in day-to-day operations (because I don't want a job ), but offering advice, inspiration, friendship anywhere I can. I am beyond fortunate."
Last spring, Andretti Global's efforts to enter F1 took a political turn when Mario Andretti visited Washington, DC at the invitation of legislators. This sparked an antitrust investigation by the Justice Department into Liberty Media, with allegations that the company was blocking a US team to protect existing European teams.
However, GM's acceptance into F1's inner sanctuary could potentially defuse this situation.
Michael Andretti, who led Andretti Global's initial application to the FIA to join F1, no longer has an active role with the company, with his executive duties being taken over by Dan Towriss as the company's new chief executive officer.
Incidentally, GM's formal involvement in F1 sets up a clash of two American automotive titans - GM and Ford.
Ford is partnering with Red Bull to build the team's power unit starting in 2026.
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