Cadillac F1 will aim for “the best” quite quickly, according to Mario Andretti, its consultant.
The team, which will arrive in 2026 based on the structure established by his son, Michael, will likely run with a Ferrari engine before having its own engine, which will be financed by parent company General Motors. With entry planned for 2028.
For Mario Andretti, there is no question of arriving as an extra from the first year.
“We have recruited and we continue to recruit very experienced people in F1. They will have very good tools and the studies have already started well, even if we do not yet know the 2026 rules in detail,” says Mario.
“The main thing is that the United States is represented by a great manufacturer and we must not disappoint. We must start well in our first season. It is a pressure as well as a historic moment.”
“GM and Cadillac are two new brands in F1 but two very big brands in the automotive world.”
“From the start, you have to have in mind that you want to reach the maximum, the world titles. There is no other way to see things.”
“If we are satisfied with a presence in F1, we have no chance of doing better than we hope.”
The dream remains to have a 100% American crew win. Andretti has already mentioned the name of Colton Herta but the drivers will certainly quickly knock on the door of the structure to find a place.
“The drivers said everything in Las Vegas, they are happy that two more seats are coming. There are more drivers available than teams at the moment. Ten teams seems like a lot, but there are a lot more drivers , many more talents waiting.”
“From our point of view, I think the play at the beginning would be to have an experienced driver – nationality doesn’t matter – and then a young American talent. Those are the goals at the moment.”
“It’s a long-term plan. And the goals are to have American representation. Certainly, as we said, a full-fledged team with the American engine and the American driver.”
“So there’s a lot of work to do. It’s a 10-year commitment at the moment at least.”
Dr. Marko reacts to the arrival of Cadillac
Red Bull consultant Dr Helmut Marko was the first to react to F1’s Monday evening announcement of Cadillac’s arrival. The reactions will certainly multiply tomorrow in the paddock in Qatar.
For the Austrian, this is certainly good news even if he hoped for more from the anti-dilution fund. Cadillac will have to pay the colossal sum of $450 million, to be distributed among the 10 teams. But this is not enough according to him.
“The payment made by Cadillac is nowhere near enough to compensate for the money we have invested for more than ten years.”
“Even if the existing teams don’t benefit much at first, a name like Cadillac with General Motors in the background is certainly an advantage.”
