Mario Andretti will take on an advisory role in the Cadillac Formula 1 project, it was confirmed on Monday. The General Motors subsidiary have finally had their 2026 entry approved.
To do so, they’ve had to drop the Andretti name. Commercially, a brand led by Cadillac is more valuable to F1.
But the appointment of 1978 F1 world champion Mario shows that they remain involved in the project. Andretti clarified on X that he won’t be ‘involved in day-to-day operations’, but will aid the team with his expertise.
The American took part in 128 F1 races between 1968 and 1982, racing for two iconic teams in Ferrari and Williams. He won 12 races, bagged 18 pole positions and scored 19 podiums.
GM will be a customer team at first, likely buying an engine from Ferrari. But from 2028, they plan to run their own power unit, making them a works operation.
They’re one of the biggest vehicle manufacturers in the world, but status doesn’t guarantee success in F1. Andretti’s guidance could be key in maximising those resources.
Damon Hill welcomes Mario Andretti’s return to Formula 1
Posting on his Instagram story, 1996 world champion Damon Hill offered his reaction to Andretti’s appointment. While they never raced together in F1 – Hill joined the grid 10 years after his retirement – the Briton clearly holds a great deal of admiration.
“Welcome back,” he wrote in response to an update from Motorsport.com. He then shared a concept livery for the team in 2026, highlighting his excitement.
Hill raced against Mario’s son Michael during the 1993 season. They shared the podium at the Italian Grand Prix that year – the only time the latter managed to finish in the top three.
Andretti junior stepped away from the F1 project before the application was granted. Dan Towriss, his business partner, has now taken over.
Mario Andretti will approve if Cadillac F1 chief signs one driver for 2026
Mario Andretti is one of the biggest admirers of Colton Herta, a 2026 Cadillac candidate. Speaking to RACER in 2022, he said ‘this kid is for real’ and likened him to a young Max Verstappen.
Herta races for the Andretti team in IndyCar and finished runner-up in the series in 2024 behind Alex Palou. He could be America’s next great F1 hope.
Ted Kravitz says Cadillac will sign a US driver for their arrival. Fellow newcomers Audi have already recruited German driver Nico Hulkenberg to lead their project.
And most importantly of all, Towriss is a ‘keen supporter’ of Herta. GM may support him in his efforts to secure a superlicence, one of the last obstacles he needs to clear.
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