Today aged 85, Nazareth’s man continues to survey the paddocks and will be part of the Cadillac F1 project which will see the light of day in 2026. Andretti present in the Paddock of the Miami GP, the opportunity was too good to discuss with a sacred monster of a disconcerting sympathy.Miami GP: size and excess “so Us” in the middle of the alligators
Mario, you are involved in the future Cadillac project. What is your exact function?
“I was suggested to remain involved in the project as a special advisor. They want to keep a look at the driver market, which interests me the most. Staying in this team is something that I will probably appreciate. It is very important for a former pilot like me to invest in a project like that of Cadillac. Because this future team poses a white stone in the world of F1 and the first time. May General Motors officially arrive in the championship! “
Cadillac F1 is based on the project of your son Michael. Is it very different from the original?
“No. The project has evolved spectacularly. It is based on the long term and Cadillac will put the means of its ambitions. It is serious. It is advancing well, taking into account the fact that we had already started the project long before we received the official green light from the FIA and F1. We are confident that everything will be ready for the first round of 2026. We are in all points of view. Deadlines that we set ourselves. “
towerThe Cadillac project is ahead of its agenda.
Everyone remembers the saga to obtain this famous green light from FIA and F1. Do you understand why it took so long?
“You know, the most important thing is that we are here. We look in front of now, and more behind.”
As Cadillac advisor, will you be present on all the Grand Prix?
“I do not think I will make them all. But I will make the effort to be present on the majority of them. That said, if I am letting me take the wheel, of course I will do them all (laughter))! At 85, I still like to drive when I have the opportunity. And continue driving racing cars helps me feel alive. “
Unlike Haas, Cadillac will be a 100 % made in USA project …
-“It is very important that we feel that we have put on this project what is best in terms of American know-how. Cadillac will not be a team that will only have its name. Our teams are aware of the challenge they face. Everyone has a lot of experience and follows the roadmap. The potential to do something competitive is clearly.”
The latest US F1 pilot, Logan Sargeant, was ousted from Williams last year. Is there no American pilot capable of prospering in F1?
“I do not totally agree with this argument. We observe the market for American pilots. Colton Herta, which rolls in Indycar, is in my opinion our national driver most worthy of an F1 steering wheel. If he gets his super-reception, we will think about it. But we are not concerned about that. It is very important for us to have an American driver in F1.
Everyone has to remember your 1978 F1 world champion title with the famous Lotus 79. What a time of Wing Cars!
“The soil effect has revolutionized motorsport, it is true. And not that formula 1. The most funny is that, when Lotus gave birth to its innovative F1s, the phenomenon of soil effect was not at all sought after. Colin Chapman first created pontoons in the shape of inverted aircraft wings, and the enormous effect of provoked suction and the gain in generous road was a total surprise. was very special for me because she marked the beginning of something really gendent.
towerWinning races with Jacky Ickx only strengthened our friendship.
What is your favorite racing car?
“All the cars I piloted, as long as I could win with (laughs)!”
You were the teammate of Jacky Ickx, our big Belgian champion, especially at Ferrari. What memory do you have of your collaboration?
“We ran together in F1 and prototypes. We won two races. We were not just teammates. We were friends. And the fact that we met with two success only reinforced our friendship.”
