Dince Liberty Media took over the reins of Formula 1 and Netflix made it a global success with thrilling series, single-seater racing at the highest level is now managed like a show. Barely two days after leaving Las Vegas, where was crowned for the 4e Once Max Verstappen, the organizer of F1, Liberty Media, left the noose around Cadillac's neck to announce its arrival at the highest level from 2026.
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The case had been initiated for months by the former immense champion Mario Andretti, but especially by his son Michael whose manners did not completely please the world of Formula 1. If he had, for the better seduce, brought into the Cadillac project, the formalization of his participation was blocked for a question of personality. Like Vegas roulette, luck changed at the end of September with the ousting of Michael Andretti, whose shares were completely taken over by his historic partner, Dan Towriss, a wealthy insurer.
It is therefore with a partner that is much simpler to manage that the Formula 1 field will expand with the arrival of an 11e stable. His application was all the more easily accepted as Cadillac committed to building its engine itself. This will not happen in the blink of an eye, if we are to believe Audi's timetable, which began its own work in 2022 to hit the track in 2026.
At the helm as team director, Mario Andretti himself, former F1 world champion in 1978, will be able to bring all his widely proven experience in the Indy formula. However, Cadillac will only start in two years, after having done a titanic job to structure a complete team, build its chassis and field its own team on time. But certainly not its engine.
Ferrari customer…..or Alpine
Until the 2028 deadline, it will therefore have to go through an external supplier. Ferrari seems to have the preference, because Mercedes is already complete with three customer teams, Honda is exclusive supplier to McLaren and Ferrari already supplies the other American team, Haas. But the Formula 1 organization could put pressure on one or other of these brands to power Cadillac.
In these conditions, the words of Mark Reuss, the president of GM, appear very optimistic when he says: “It is an honor for GM and Cadillac to join the cutting-edge motorsport championship and we are committed to being competitive with passion and integrity. Here we are on a global stage where we can demonstrate GM's expertise and technological leadership. »
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Kangaroo of the day
Answer
Two years to learn on the track and, ultimately, to finally see the American engine enter the race, which is a challenge. To wait, Cadillac will have to turn to a supplier, unless a newly abandoned engine serves as a basis for development of the future Cadillac hybrid group. We think of Alpine, of course, a rumor immediately denied, but Renault could reconsider the retirement of its engine with a customer partner of the caliber of Cadillac.
As for the drivers, American nationality will be a big asset, and home driver Colton Herta, runner-up in Indy 2024, already seems ideally suited for the first seat. The second could be suitable for an experienced driver to both develop the car and serve as a gauge for his teammate. Between Daniel Ricciardo, Valtteri Bottas and Kevin Magnussen, Cadillac will be spoiled for choice for this leading driver. It remains to be seen whether an agreement with Renault could ensure the survival of an engine that was said to have been abandoned in recent weeks.
