Legendary racer Mario Andretti recently shared his deep disappointment after Formula One Management denied his family and General Motors the opportunity to join the global motorsports series. The rejection came following a six-month review of Andretti's application to expand the current grid to accommodate a two-car American team.
Andretti expressed his offense at F1's claims that the Andretti team would not be competitive, questioning the value the Andretti name would bring to the series, and suggesting challenges that Andretti has not faced before. He emphasized the significant investment his team and GM were willing to make in the series and highlighted the potential value of having 11 teams instead of 10.
Furthermore, Andretti took exception to F1 questioning GM's ability to provide an engine for the new team while also suggesting that GM partner with a different team. He found these statements offensive and reiterated GM's commitment to partnering with Andretti in F1 under its Cadillac brand.
Despite the setback, Andretti Cadillac has opened a new facility in Silverstone, England, for its F1 operation, demonstrating ongoing progress towards entering F1. Andretti expressed eagerness for future meetings with FOM to address any concerns and move forward with their F1 aspirations.
Andretti emphasized that the team's goal is to join the F1 grid in 2026, despite initial assumptions by series representatives. He acknowledged that financial considerations may have played a role in the rejection, with existing teams potentially reluctant to share revenue with a newcomer.
Throughout his career, Mario Andretti has been a respected figure in motorsports, and he expressed his disappointment at the lack of courtesy extended to his son, Michael Andretti, who is also a highly regarded racer. Andretti remains hopeful and committed to pursuing their F1 ambitions, emphasizing their dedication to fielding entries in F2 and F3 to support American talents.
As the Andretti team continues its efforts to secure a spot on the F1 grid, Mario Andretti's legacy and determination in the world of motorsports remain unwavering.
