After F1’s official rejection of Michael Andretti’s application for the creation of an eleventh team, the American responded not only with some surprise personnel announcements, including the recruitment of F1 technical director Pat Symonds , but also by the creation of a new site at Silverstone.
In August, it was revealed that the US Department of Justice had opened an antitrust investigation into Liberty Media over the refusal to allow Andretti Global’s entry into the discipline, in what could be deemed a form of abuse of dominant position and infringement of competition rights.
There was no news from Michael Andretti for several months before it was announced this week that he was stepping down from Andretti Global, which oversees all of Andretti’s racing operations. The American now intends instead to play the role of ambassador and advisor for the family structure. It is Dan Towriss, who with his Group 1001, bought a stake in Andretti Global in 2022, who will take charge.
Cadillac could still be interested in F1…
The fact remains that even with Andretti out of the running for an entry into F1, the possibility that Cadillac retains the desire to position itself as a manufacturer in the premier discipline is a possibility, according to certain sources. If no entry into the sport is possible as an engine manufacturer for Andretti, the American giant is aware of the interest that its presence in the matter may have aroused for the entire paddock and the leaders of the discipline.
“Michael Andretti and Dan Towriss formed a new parent company a few years ago, Andretti Global, which I believe is home to all the teams we know of, including, most importantly, the F1 program”declared American journalist Marshall Pruett for The Racer.
“F1 plans are moving forward and have suffered no disruption to planning or funding”he added. “No changes are planned as far as I know, except that Michael will be less present. »
Entering F1 without Andretti?
The American goes on to suggest that General Motors, which currently has a substantial WEC factory program through Cadillac, is currently evaluating the possibility of embarking on a 100% Cadillac-badged team project.
« Il [Towriss] arrived in IndyCar in 2018 as a newcomer and sponsor of Zach Veach at Andretti with Group 1001/Gainbridge »he said of the new CEO. “Pushing so hard, being so close to restoring the team to greatness in IndyCar and getting the green light to enter F1, and all of a sudden it would be time to walk away? No one I have spoken to believes the deal happened the way it was sold. “I’ve heard some interesting theories from F1 insiders about Cadillac wanting to move forward without the Andrettis but not without Towriss and his giant financing.”
“I heard that they wanted something closer to a Cadillac Racing F1 program than an Andretti Global+Cadillac situation, and given all the money you can make being there he team behind the program, there is a valid reason to do whatever it takes to be accepted. »
Related News :