Mario Andretti has said there are plenty of reasons to be positive as the Andretti Global project remains laser-focused on a 2026 F1 entry...
Mario Andretti says he has plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the Andretti F1 team as a 2026 entry remains the target.
Andretti, together with engine partner Cadillac under General Motors, has maintained that “work continues at pace” to prepare for an entry into F1, even though the rejection letter suggested it could be 2027 or ’28 before this might be permitted. “We’re working at pace in every aspect that we can to be able to advance the cause because, all along, we’d like to show how serious we are about the project and not just talk but do.
Rewinding the clock back to January, there’s no denying that the rejection letter from FOM was a harsh one – the commercial rights holder expressed doubts about the team’s ability to be competitive, and that Andretti was underestimating the extent of the challenge in front of them. “It’s very important to us, as you can imagine. I mean, this is all we do, this is it. That’s why we’re so adamant about it, this is our life. There’s nothing more important than that.
But, while things seem to be going in the right direction with FOM, the possibility remains that all the effort – both in terms of work and significant financial investment – could come to naught. Just how nervous is he feeling about the calculated risk that’s being taken by not walking away at this point?“That was serious business – the system was very robust, and look how many teams applied.
“But I think we’re going into this with open eyes, we’re not stupid. We know what we’re up against. We know the immense complexity of the project, all of this was studied before we even started thinking about it. “You have open-wheel, single-seater fans who love Formula 1 and IndyCar and that’s all they talked – we were at an IndyCar race and all I get is ‘Formula 1!’, as I’m walking.
This was one of the reasons F1 opted to decline the Andretti entry, but Mario said the support Andretti has had from General Motors over the past three months – and in the two years since their tie-up – has been invaluable.“All along, we’ve said that when you bring in a manufacturer, it’s a different argument. I’m so excited about the fact that we have the biggest US manufacturer behind it.
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