Cadillac rumoured for Formula One entry

Andretti Global, the parent company of Andretti Autosport that fields its own or part-owned teams in IndyCar, IMSA, Formula E, Extreme E, the Australian Supercars Championship and other series has announced its intention to join the FIA Formula One World Championship. If successful, the bid will see the Andretti name back on the F1 grid for the first time since 1993, when Michael Andretti drove for McLaren.

Andretti’s entry into F1 has been speculated since late 2021, initially through a buyout of one of the existing lower-tier teams. Those rumours gained traction when Andretti Global owner, Michael Andretti, filed an application with the FIA in early 2022 to join the F1 grid in 2024.

Since then, Andretti has announced a partnership with General Motors (GM), bringing together two parties who previously united for the IndyCar Series in 2012. Racing under the Chevrolet brand back then, Andretti and GM achieved IndyCar’s Driver, Team and Manufacturer titles in their first year together.

If Andretti’s attempt to enter F1 is successful, GM will be represented by the Cadillac brand that is already involved in endurance racing, specifically the IMSA SportsCar Championship and FIA World Endurance Championship that includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

This past January, Andretti Global announced they would submit an Expression of Interest to the FIA when the tendering process for new teams opens. The intention is to join F1 “as soon as practical” under the team name of ‘Andretti Cadillac’ and with at least one American driver on their roster.

“I feel very strongly that we are suited to be a new team for Formula One and can bring value to the series and our partners - and excitement for the fans,” said Michael Andretti, Chairman and CEO of Andretti Global.

“I’m proud to have GM and Cadillac alongside us as we pursue this goal. 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.”

Whether Cadillac’s involvement will include engine development, or be purely a branding exercise, has not been revealed, but having GM on board gives Andretti's potential F1 entry significantly more clout than it had previously.

“General Motors is honoured to team with Andretti Global on this historic moment in racing,” said Mark Reuss, President, General Motors.

“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.”