Michael Andretti reacts to F1 adding an 11th team for General Motors in 2026. Find out what Andretti had to say about Formula 1’s decision!
Andretti Global will not join Formula 1 as a new 11th team. On Monday afternoon, Formula 1 announced that it has reached an agreement with General Motors/Cadillac to join the grid in 2026. Andretti Global initially led the charge with General Motors but was rejected by Liberty Media. Instead, former Formula 1 champion Mario Andretti will serve as a director on the team’s board.
After Formula 1’s announcement, [autotag]Michael Andretti[/autotag], who recently stepped back from Andretti Global, made his own statement about the sport adding an 11th team for General Motors. It was all class from Andretti.
The Cadillac F1 Team is made up of a strong group of people that have worked tirelessly to build an American works team. I’m very proud of the hard work they have put in and congratulate all involved on this momentous next step. I will be cheering for you!
“The Cadillac F1 Team is made up of a strong group of people that have worked tirelessly to build an American works team,” Andretti said on social media. “I’m very proud of the hard work they have put in and congratulate all involved on this momentous next step. I will be cheering for you!”
It is a bittersweet day for Andretti Global, which led the charge for an 11th team with General Motors. However, it is still a proud moment for the organization, as there will be an Andretti connection within the race team. It will be interesting to watch how General Motors/Cadillac moves forward and which drivers the team selects for 2026.
Former Andretti Global team leader Michael Andretti penned an open letter to the team’s followers. The communication comes in the wake of his recent standing down as team principal and the transition of power to investor Daniel Towriss. “To Our …
Former Andretti Global team leader Michael Andretti penned an open letter to the team’s followers. The communication comes in the wake of his recent standing down as team principal and the transition of power to investor Daniel Towriss.
“To Our Fans,
“I was born a racer. From an early age, I didn’t know anything different than life in the fast lane. Being a “son of” – be it a proud one – came with a high bar and, once I pressed the gas, I never looked back. I stopped at nothing to find success. I drove for the passion and love of the sport, but I won for the fear of losing. My father’s childhood dream became my destiny and together, we built a legacy and a family business.
“When my driving days slowed, I set my sights on creating a space that would inspire future drivers to go faster than I had. I believe that, together with the help of many very qualified and passionate team members, I have been able to do just that. For the past two decades, our team has seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. We’ve grown on a global level that I believe is still untouched in motorsport and we’ve seen some of the best talent in racing proudly wear the Andretti badge.
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“Many of my best memories have come at the wheel of this organization, and I am so proud of what we have built. But decades of running flat out doesn’t come without sacrifice and, after much thought and reflection over the past several months, I came to the decision to take a step back. I’ve had a day-to-day operational role since even before I stepped out of the race car, and it’s time now to pass the baton to my partner and friend, Dan Towriss.
“As I make this decision for myself, my family and this team, I know this is somewhat of a shock to many, especially you, the fans, my extended family. For many of you, you’ve watched me grow up, or you’ve grown up right alongside of me, and no matter what moves we’ve made as a team, you’ve stuck by our side at every turn. It is not lost on me that the generations of Andretti fans are the best in the business. I’m honored to be considered a fan favorite, a role model and a friend. And I thank you for a lifetime of support and, in some cases, your brutal honesty.
“But I am not going away – I will be serving as an advisor for the team and will be available to help wherever I can. While you might see me less at the racetrack, know that my passion for the sport and my support for our team, and its people, will remain unwavering.
“My hope is that you, as Andretti fans, will keep supporting our team with the same enthusiasm and loyalty that you’ve so graciously shown myself and my family over the years.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to spend more time with my beautiful family, including my 10-year-old twins, embrace my new Nonno title and explore new things on a personal level and with my other businesses. So, this isn’t a goodbye. It is just the turning of the page.”
Daniel Towriss, CEO of the Group 1001 insurance and financial services company based in Zionsville, Indiana, and primary investor of Andretti Global, has taken control of the business. Team co-founder Michael Andretti, the 1991 CART IndyCar Series …
Daniel Towriss, CEO of the Group 1001 insurance and financial services company based in Zionsville, Indiana, and primary investor of Andretti Global, has taken control of the business.
Team co-founder Michael Andretti, the 1991 CART IndyCar Series champion, will remain attached to the organization in an advisory and ambassadorial role. News of the sizable change in leadership structure was first reported by Sportico.
The reason for the change was not cited by the sports business site owned by Jay Penske, son of NTT IndyCar Series and Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Roger Penske. A growing division between Andretti and Towriss has been alleged by numerous paddock sources in recent months, but no proof of the matter has been established.
In a statement provided by the team, Andretti Global suggests Andretti — a lifelong racer — is willingly handing over the reins of the team and company that bears his name.
“Michael’s goal has been to transition to a more strategic role with Andretti Global and focus less on the operational side of the race team,” Andretti Global said. “Michael and Dan Towriss have been working closely on developing this new structure, one which Michael is excited to see take shape under Dan’s guidance.
“Michael remains engaged and will continue to serve as a strategic advisor and key ambassador. We will have more to share in the coming weeks, after Michael and Dan have had an opportunity to speak to the team.”
Towriss entered IndyCar in 2018 as the sponsor of driver Zach Veach with Group 1001 and its Gainbridge property represented on the No. 26 Andretti Autosport Honda. The three-year deal ended prematurely for Veach, but Andretti retained Group 1001/Gainbridge relationship and funding, and by 2021, Andretti and Towriss were actively searching for a Formula 1 team to purchase.
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Unable to buy their way into F1 with Towriss’s financial backing, the duo established a new business, Andretti Global, in an effort to gain entry to F1 as a constructor. In 2022, Andretti Acquisitions Corporation was formed and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission with a stated goal of raising $250,000,000 for business-related investments and purchases.
With Towriss’s rumored and separate investment into Andretti Global said to match or exceed that figure, Andretti’s new partner is understood to have taken a directorial role within the expansive racing organization, and within the IndyCar paddock, is often characterized as Andretti’s new boss.
Drawing from the alleged nine-figure infusion from Towriss and Group 1001, Andretti’s footprint in the sport expanded at a rapid rate.
Along with its three-car IndyCar team that features primary sponsorship with Gainbridge on Colton Herta’s No. 26 Honda and Delaware Life, another Group 1001 property, on Marcus Ericsson’s No. 28 Honda, Andretti/Towriss also purchased Wayne Taylor Racing’s two-car IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship team in 2023, maintains a four-car Indy NXT program that won the championship in 2024, has an ongoing effort to launch a two-car F1 effort with General Motors through its Cadillac brand, and is building a vast new base in Indiana as a result of Towriss’s investment.
Andretti Global is also allegedly at the center of another storm with last week’s raid of the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing IndyCar and IMSA team by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in relation to a former Andretti Global employee, who is alleged to have taken intellectual property from Andretti to RLL.
RACER understands more operational changes with Andretti Global personnel are being considered, which could extend to personnel shifts in its IndyCar program and its F1 initiative.
Jamie Chadwick’s breakthrough Indy NXT pole and victory had her team owner Michael Andretti smiling wide. Charging down to pit lane after the Briton drove into victory lane for the first time in the No. 28 Andretti Global Dallara IL15-AER, Andretti …
Jamie Chadwick’s breakthrough Indy NXT pole and victory had her team owner Michael Andretti smiling wide. Charging down to pit lane after the Briton drove into victory lane for the first time in the No. 28 Andretti Global Dallara IL15-AER, Andretti was the first to greet her and share congratulations for his newest race winner.
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Chadwick, the three-time W Series champion, withstood multiple passing attempts and had to lead multiple restarts—all opportunities for other drivers to pounce—but she halted their advances and aced each return to green-flag racing. Chadwick also led every lap in a clear demonstration of her capabilities in IndyCar’s top feeder series.
“She’s been amazing,” Andretti told RACER. “She did a mega job over the winter getting stronger to drive these cars. She’s been really competitive all year. The laps she did in qualifying impressed me, but what really was impressive was how she placed the car the whole race and she was schooling some of the boys. Her restarts were great. It was a complete drive.”
Chadwick was chased home by teammate Louis Foster who won last weekend’s NXT race in Detroit and holds second in the championship.
Her win also helped move her forward—after an early season that’s had some adversity—to ninth in the standings as the Andretti drivers battle against the other powerhouse teams in NXT.
“It’s a great program,” Andretti added. “That’s why we support it. That’s why we brought Jamie in, and Louis Foster is doing an awesome job. It was a great day for the points for Louis. We love being in this series.”
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has told Andretti Cadillac to try and buy an existing Formula 1 team rather than attempt to join the sport as a new entrant, despite initiating the process for new teams last year. Ben Sulayem endorsed Andretti’s …
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has told Andretti Cadillac to try and buy an existing Formula 1 team rather than attempt to join the sport as a new entrant, despite initiating the process for new teams last year.
Ben Sulayem endorsed Andretti’s bid and instructed the FIA to open up the process that would allow new teams to try and join the grid, with the existing agreements stating there can be at least two more constructors’ entered into F1. Andretti’s submission was the only one approved by the FIA as meeting all of the criteria the governing body had set out for a new team, allowing it to try and reach a commercial agreement with Formula One Management (FOM).
While U.S. Government officials have been lobbying for investigations into the lack of an entry so far, Ben Sulayem has now said Andretti should purchase an existing team, despite none of the 10 constructors’ openly stating they are interested in a takeover.
“I have no doubt FOM and Liberty (Media) would love to see other teams as long as they are OEMs (car manufacturers),” Ben Sulayem told Reuters. “I would advise them (Andretti Cadillac) to go and buy another team, not to come as the 11th team.
“I feel that some teams need to be refreshed. What is better? To have 11 teams as a number or 10 and they are strong? I still believe we should have more teams but not any teams. The right teams. It’s not about the number, it’s about the quality.”
Ben Sulayem also suggests some teams are unstable from a managerial perspective and should be targeted by Andretti, although aside from Red Bull – where Christian Horner has come under scrutiny for his alleged behavior towards a colleague – the three most recent teams principal changes have occurred at Alpine, RB and Haas, who all insist they are not for sale.
“Without mentioning names, there are teams which are struggling… struggling with performance, struggling even with management,” he said. “It’s about having the right team, not to lose a chance or an opportunity where someone like GM with a PU [power unit] is coming to Formula 1.
“Imagine the impact. We have three races in America. We have such a huge fan base. But we don’t have a proper (U.S.) team. I’m so happy to have Ford in but imagine having GM and imagine having American drivers.”
The next draft of the Concorde Agreement is currently being worked on that could see an increase on the current $200 million fee demanded of new entrants that would be distributed among existing teams.
“We have to have a balance. Is $200 million too low?” Ben Sulayem added. “I believe $600 (million) is something where it is right for the current market.”
“There was a lot of different meetings going on for lots of different reasons, but we’re just here to show that we’re still working forward – our goal is to be in Formula 1 in 2026 so our work continues at pace.” Michael Andretti knows exactly what …
“There was a lot of different meetings going on for lots of different reasons, but we’re just here to show that we’re still working forward – our goal is to be in Formula 1 in 2026 so our work continues at pace.” Michael Andretti knows exactly what the message is to anyone wanting to know more about the Andretti Cadillac Formula 1 project.
The words “our work continues at pace” have become regular additions to the end of press releases and statements from the team, despite the ongoing uncertainty over an entry.
The Andretti team was once again present at the Miami Grand Prix this weekend and held talks with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, following meetings with Formula One Management (FOM) earlier in April.
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Those meetings with FOM took place when Andretti officially opened its Silverstone facility that has been housing a number of people that are already working on the F1 project, and the investments are not slowing down.
“[Progress at Silverstone is] very good,” Andretti told RACER on Sunday morning at Hard Rock Stadium. “There’s a lot of building going on there, there’s a lot of building going on at General Motors, and also a lot of building in our Fishers headquarters, so there’s a lot of work happening.
“It’s a risk, for sure, but I think it shows how much we believe in this. We believe it’s great for Formula 1, we think it would be great for American fans, and to bring a company like General Motors into Formula 1 I think is huge. We believe in it that much that we’re willing to roll the dice.”
One of the reasons Andretti is willing to make that gamble is because it’s not just his existing racing outfit or partners such as Group1001 and its CEO Dan Towriss who are putting chips on the table. It’s the level of ambition being shown from GM as well that the team owner highlights as a significant driving factor in the ongoing work.
“[GM is] very committed, very excited,” he said. “I think people will not understand, until we show them, the effort that’s being put in on both sides. This is going to be rival with Ferrari and the Mercedes, the effort that’s being put in with such a great company like GM.”
As it stands, though, all of the investments that are being made – including running a 2025-spec car in the wind tunnel in order to aid learning for 2026 – have been met with resistance from FOM in terms of being granted an entry.
Andretti says he has been asking for more clarity and solutions to the current impasse rather than solely reasons not to expand the grid, but says there is still time available to make progress before the situation starts to become critical.
“Yeah we’re working, we’re trying to get more communication [with FOM] and see what we need to do to get in,” he said.
“No, we’re not there yet [at the point of pausing investments] but it’s getting timely. We’re going to need some answers here soon, but we have some things that we’re working on and hopefully we’ll have some answers soon.”
With a huge OEM in the form of GM behind him and substantial funding that has led to plenty of money being spent on the project so far, Andretti does have a compelling case to join the grid. But FOM’s analysis led to a rejection for 2025 and 2026 earlier this year, with a 2028 entry with a GM power unit being the focus instead.
A letter signed by multiple cross-party members of Congress last week was sent to Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei suggesting there are “concerns with apparent anti-competitive actions” in not having yet admitted Andretti. The timing ahead of Miami was clearly pointed from those behind it, and it is understood the situation was not well received by F1 CEO Stefano Domenical, although Andretti insists he was not a catalyst in getting Congress involved.
“I was 100 percent surprised, I stay out of that,” he said. “I’m just here to build the team and that’s what I’m doing, but for sure it’s great to have people like them looking at what’s going on and getting behind us.”
It was just the latest development in a long-drawn-out situation that looks far from being resolved any time soon. But given he was trying to petition the existing F1 teams for support in Miami two years ago, Andretti does believe progress has been made.
Asked if he feels closer to getting on the grid, he unequivocally confirmed: “Oh yeah, for sure.”
Andretti Global has officially opened its Formula 1 facility at Silverstone, as it continues preparations for a potential entry in 2026. The 48,000 square foot facility is based at the Silverstone Park technology and business park at the home of the …
Andretti Global has officially opened its Formula 1 facility at Silverstone, as it continues preparations for a potential entry in 2026.
The 48,000 square foot facility is based at the Silverstone Park technology and business park at the home of the British Grand Prix, and has a current workforce of around 80 people designing and developing a car that could race in 2026. The new building was opened by Michael and Mario Andretti alongside Andretti Global partner Dan Towriss and team president J-F Thormann.
At present, Andretti is working on a chassis for current regulations as it develops its facilities, with the Silverstone base housing “manufacturing facilities, including pattern, model and machine shops, ADM, electronics, R&D and additional office and meeting facilities.” The Silverstone factory will work alongside the main site in Indiana and the organization’s Formula E base in Banbury.
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“We have said that our work continues at pace; this new facility embodies that work,” Michael Andretti said. “While we plan to have an all-American team, with the car assembled in the U.S., having a European base is a great way to attract the best in F1 talent and install state of the art machinery.
“I want to see integration between all the bases, between the U.S. and Silverstone, as we move forward — but that is already happening today, with some really great collaboration on all fronts.
“There is literally hundreds of years of experience in this Silverstone building. Every person here knows what they are doing and is capable of building a very competitive race car. We’re excited by this very unique opportunity as we move forward.”
Andretti says the Silverstone facility will be completed in phases “according to commercial and sporting needs and workforce requirements,” with the F1 team yet to secure an entry. Formula One Management (FOM) rejected Andretti’s bid to join the grid by 2026 earlier this year, but stated it would be open to a 2028 entry when General Motors has stated its intention to produce an F1 power unit.
Despite that announcement from FOM, RACER understands the FIA is still working with Andretti on its plans, having assessed its financial and technical capabilities to be sufficient for an entry.
Andretti responded to the news by asserting it “strongly disagrees” with the decision and that it is continuing development of its F1 program.
Andretti Cadillac had hopes for a recent Formula 1 entry when it was approved by the FIA last year, but now, they’ve run into a roadblock — while the FIA wants them in Formula 1, Formula 1 itself does not.
Formula 1 Management, or FOM for short, rejected Andretti’s bid to join the sport in either 2025 or 2026, per Chris Medland of RACER. FOM did, however, leave the door open for a 2028 entry when General Motors plans to enter the sport as a power unit manufacturer. That, however, would be two years into new regulations for Formula 1.
The most significant way in which a new entrant would bring value is by being competitive. We do not believe that the Applicant, [Andretti Formula Racing, LLC], would be a competitive participant,” F1 said Wednesday.
BREAKING: F1 has rejected Andretti's bid to join the grid in 2025 or 2026, BUT says it "would look differently on an application" for 2028 alongside General Motors' planned power unit entry #F1
Andretti, of course, responded to the news, and it appears they don’t plan to take it without a fight. Andretti Cadillac said in a statement that it “strongly disagrees” with the decision and that it plans to continue developing its Formula 1 program.
Andretti Cadillac says it “has reviewed the information Formula One Management Limited has shared and strongly disagree with its contents”.
Says both brands have been successful in global motorsport and work continues to prepare for an F1 entry #F1
What happens next is unclear, but there is a possibility that the matter could be resolved in court. Andretti has met the requirements of FOM’s Concorde Agreement between the FIA and FOM signed in 2021, which allows for up to 12 teams with a $200 million entry fee for the series. In theory, Andretti could bring the issue to court as a potential anti-competition violation.
Michael Andretti has said his organization has tried to purchase an existing Formula 1 team but concluded “nobody’s selling” after speaking with all of them. Andretti’s comments came after Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said at last week’s British Grand …
Michael Andretti has said his organization has tried to purchase an existing Formula 1 team but concluded “nobody’s selling” after speaking with all of them.
Andretti’s comments came after Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said at last week’s British Grand Prix that prospective new entrants should “buy a team” rather than entering as a new, 11th team on the grid. But Andretti, who is attempting to enter F1 in partnership with General Motors and its Cadillac brand, says that option is off the table because nobody is interested in selling.
“We’ve tried — nobody’s interested, nobody’s selling,” Andretti (pictured above) told media, including RACER, at last weekend’s Extreme E Island X Prix in Sardinia. “I mean, we’ve been to every single team. They keep saying, ‘Well, buy a team’ (but) nobody wants to sell.
“You go there and they’re not even interested in talking. So yeah, I’ve been there, done that — not happening.”
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Andretti previously attempted to buy the Sauber team in 2021 only for the deal to collapse at the 11th hour. The Swiss-based team will instead come under Audi control ahead of the German brand’s entry in 2026.
Andretti played down suggestions that F1’s established teams were disrespecting the Andretti name, saying “I don’t really pay attention to that,” and admitted that he does understand why they are playing hardball with Andretti and other potential new entrants.
“Everybody has their own reasons why they’re doing things. They’re trying to protect their own interests, which you can’t blame them,” Andretti said. “You know, I said things before, I probably used the wrong word — I shouldn’t have said ‘greed’ but everybody’s been looking out for themselves.
“When I said that, I got criticized because I said ‘greed’, but if I was in their situation, I’d probably do the same thing. So I don’t blame the teams. They all are going to look at it for themselves, because that’s what they need to do to be competitive.
“So they’ve got to make sure that they protect that and I understand that’s what they’re trying to do. But in the end, they’re not going to be the ones that make the decision. It’s going to be up to the series and the FIA to decide if it’s the right individual.”
Andretti expects a decision from the FIA “probably closer to the end of the month,” and is confident of his team’s chances, adding, “we’re hoping for a positive decision.”
“I feel good. I mean, I we checked every box,” he said. “I feel good, but you know, feeling good and reality are always two different things.
“We just have to wait and see what happens. I think we have everything we need to go in and be competitive and be respectful and add to the series. That’s what we feel.”
Michael Andretti says his ongoing ambition to bring Andretti Global to the Formula 1 grid is part of a multi-tier plan that would replicate one of his greatest success stories in North America. Through the Indiana-based Andretti Autosport team, the …
Michael Andretti says his ongoing ambition to bring Andretti Global to the Formula 1 grid is part of a multi-tier plan that would replicate one of his greatest success stories in North America.
Through the Indiana-based Andretti Autosport team, the 1991 CART IndyCar Series champion has been among the most prolific entrants in junior open-wheel racing, earning multiple drivers’ and teams’ titles in the USF Championships presented by Cooper Tires and Indy NXT by Firestone.
If Andretti Global is granted entry to F1, he says a new European training ladder would be established using the formula he’s developed to bring the likes of Colton Herta, Pato O’Ward, Kyle Kirkwood and countless others up the ladder to IndyCar.
“We would set up shop over in England where we’re going to have the engineering shop for the F1 team,” Andretti told RACER. “If the F1 deal comes through, I want to do Formula 3 and Formula 2 as well. I want to be in control of bringing our drivers up through the system, because then you know what kind of equipment they have and how they’re being treated.”
One of the difficult parts of evaluating next-generation talent comes with understanding the advantages or hinderances a driver experiences within the various teams in open-wheel training categories. As he’s accomplished in USF and NXT, Andretti would like to remove those questions by creating an internal pipeline of his own making.
“It’s hard to judge the drivers coming up through the ranks over there,” Andretti added. “Because if somebody’s got a big pocketbook, they get better treatment than a guy that’s got more talent, but that’s not how we do things in our teams. So that’s a goal I want to set up over there.”
Winners of three of the last four Indy NXT (formerly Indy Lights) championships, Andretti fields four entries this season for returning NXT race winner Hunter McElrea from New Zealand, reigning USF Pro 2000 champion Louis Foster from England, triple W Series champion Jamie Chadwick from the UK, and Ireland’s James Roe.