Cadillac Names F1 Car After Andretti

The journey for an eleventh team on the Formula 1 grid was a multi-year saga, initially spearheaded by Michael Andretti, son of the 1978 champion. The original "Andretti Global" bid, which planned to use Renault power units, was approved by the sport's governing body, the FIA, in October 2023 but ultimately rejected by Formula One Management (FOM) in early 2024. FOM's initial rejection cited doubts that the Andretti entry would add value to the championship. The tide turned after a significant restructuring of the bid, which saw Michael Andretti step back from a leadership role and General Motors commit more substantially to the project under its Cadillac brand. This led to an agreement in principle in late 2024 and final approval in March 2025. The "MAC" in the MAC-26 chassis name stands for Mario Andretti Cadillac, honoring the racing legend who has remained an ambassador for the team throughout the entry process. The "26" signifies the team's debut season in 2026. This gesture comes even as Michael Andretti is no longer in a leadership position, with his father Mario serving on the team's board of directors. The new Cadillac Formula 1 Team will operate from a main base in Silverstone, UK, with additional facilities in the United States, including Fishers, Indiana, and a power unit facility being built in Concord, North Carolina. This marks the first new constructor to join the F1 grid since Haas in 2016. For its initial seasons, the team will compete using Ferrari power units. General Motors has registered as a power unit manufacturer with the FIA and is developing its own engine, which is now expected to debut in the 2029 season. The team's inaugural driver lineup will feature experienced F1 veterans Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas. While there was speculation about an American driver like Colton Herta, he will instead serve as a test driver for the team. The team is led by CEO Dan Towriss and Team Principal Graeme Lowdon.