Mario Andretti is a familiar face in the Formula 1 paddock and his appearances at races is only going to increase from next year onwards.
Although Andretti’s attempts to join the F1 grid didn’t quite go to plan, Mario Andretti will be involved in Cadillac’s debut next year.
Andretti will act as an advisor for the American automotive giants as they step up their preparations for 2026.
The 1978 F1 world champion is helping the team decide their driver line-up and Andretti thinks Cadillac could fight hard to sign Pato O’Ward from McLaren’s ranks.
Andretti has also been very positive about Sergio Perez after Liam Lawson’s immediate struggles at Red Bull.
Perez has been linked with Cadillac as a potential option if he wants to return to Formula 1.
Andretti has already been talking about the current state of the sport before he’s back in the paddock more permanently.
He believes there’s one rule that every driver would love to get rid of if they had the chance.
READ MORE: All to know about General Motors’ Cadillac F1 team from engine to drivers
Mario Andretti would love to change Formula 1’s track limits rules
The 85-year-old was speaking on the ESPN Fans YouTube channel about the current Formula 1 season and one of the journalists conducting the interviewl told Andretti that he would remove the track limits rule because he ‘hates’ it.
In response, Andretti said: “Me too!
“I’ve got to tell you that all the drivers think the same!”
Andretti was asked if drivers complained as much in his day as they do now about track limits violations and explained: “Well, here’s the thing, you have to look at this.
“Some tracks, you have to have some rules because look at Paul Ricard, you could go straight everywhere! There are only lines there.
“So, you have to have some control of the track limits, but maybe give a little more leeway if you know what I mean.
“Here’s the good point, especially when there’s two cars fighting really hard, when you cannot really control the situation and where you are, and for somebody upstairs to say, ‘Oh yeah, well, when he was there, when he came to that line, this and that,’ I mean, come on!
“When they’re fighting hard, you just let them do it. If it’s really obvious that somebody’s really trying to do something stupid, then OK, you can penalise them.
“But, honest racing, let them go, that’s my opinion.”
READ MORE: Mario Andretti believes Cadillac have two key advantages compared to F1 rivals by making their debut in 2026
Who would the removal of strict track limits rules benefit the most on the Formula 1 grid?
Track limits have been a hot topic for some time with some circuits more likely to catch out drivers than others.
The 2023 Austrian Grand Prix saw 1200 laps reported due to drivers pushing the boundaries at several points on the track.
One driver who has nailed their understanding of the rules over recent seasons is Max Verstappen.
Verstappen caught Lando Norris out on several occasions last year, including the United States Grand Prix where the British driver picked up a post-race penalty for overtaking him off the track.
However, Damon Hill criticised Verstappen for his overly aggressive moves in Mexico that ended up compromising Norris’ race.
The Dutchman has certainly used the current regulations to his advantage and only a brave person would bet against him doing the same thing if Andretti got his wish and the rules were relaxed.
Leave feedback about this