Andretti has joined forces with American manufacturer General
Motors/Cadillac as it continues to push for an entry into F1.
The move comes in the same week that FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem
triggered an 'Expressions of Interest' process to seek prospective entries
to the championship.
Andretti Global revealed last year that it was pushing to join the grid
from 2024, led by Michael Andretti, whilst father Mario has been forthright
in revealing plans for the marque.
The team has already broken ground on new headquarters in Indianapolis
that would make it the first fully American-based outfit in the sport, given
that
Haas also
operates in Banbury and Maranello.
But plans have been accelerated by the announcement of a partnership
with Cadillac, which is already involved with its own quest for motorsport
superiority in the top classes of the World Endurance Championship and
IMSA.
Asked to provide a timeframe for its F1 entry, Andretti said: "We don't
know yet exactly how it is going to be done.
"The _expression_ of interest, how long that takes, and where we are at
the time but we are going to be on track as soon as it all makes sense to be
on track."
With regard to Cadillac supplying the power unit for the team, this is
not planned to be an immediate union given the date has already passed for
entries for the 2026 season.
Mark L Reuss, president of GM, explained: "We have a signed agreement
with a power unit supplier, to begin with.
"And then, as we move forward, we will bring a lot of our expertise to
create things for the future as well.
"In just a few weeks, Cadillac will begin the journey back to Le Mans
by running in the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
"And by racing in IMSA, WEC and F1, Cadillac will have the platform to
showcase its innovation and technology going up against the best
international luxury brands."
Reflecting on GM's relationship with Honda and the potential to share
technology before Cadillac produces its own power unit, Reuss added: "On the
EV part of it, we do have a large partnership with Honda.
"But we also compete against Honda in series like IndyCar as well, so
we have that natural respect and relationship which is not problematic at
all.
"I
think we will talk about the engine piece of this at a later
date."
Clyde Romero
If you have no enemies
You have no character !
Scars are tattoos with better stories!
When you're
out of F-4's you're out of fighters!
Clyde Romero
If you have no enemies
You have no character !
Scars are tattoos with better stories!
When you're
out of F-4's you're out of fighters!