F1: Andretti and General Motors announce potential F1 partnership bid
Longstanding Formula One suitors Andretti Global today announced a partnership with General Motors’ Cadillac brand in a strengthening of their courtship with entry into the Formula One World Championship.
The venture, US based but with a support facility in the UK, aims to capitalise on the renewed growth of the top tier motorsport with a focus on the US market, promising to field at least one American driver if selected by the FIA as a potential 11th team. Andretti Global, the parent company of Michael Andretti’s Andretti Autosport, a very successful team in various IndyCar formats and Extreme E, have been public of late of their intent to join Formula One as an American, 11th team. Cadillac are expanding their motorsport offering of late, offering the Cadillac V-LMDh for entry into the FIA World Endurance Championship following success in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Pirelli World Challenge.
The two parties released a joint press release :
Michael Andretti, Chairman and CEO, Andretti Global: “We are continuing to grow Andretti Global and its family of racing teams and always have our eyes on what’s next. I feel that we are well suited to be a new team for Formula One and can bring value to the series and our partners, and excitement for the fans. I’m proud to have GM and Cadillac alongside us as we pursue this goal. GM and Andretti share a legacy born out of the love of racing. We now have the opportunity to combine our motorsport passions and dedication to innovation to build a true American F1 bid.
“Together, we will continue to follow procedures and steps put forth by the FIA during the evaluation process. In the meantime, we continue to optimistically prepare should we be fortunate enough to have Andretti Cadillac formally approved as a Formula One contender.”
Mark Reuss, President, General Motors: “General Motors is honored to team with Andretti Global on this historic moment in racing. We have a long, rich history in motorsports and engineering innovation, and we are thrilled with the prospect of pairing with Andretti Global to form an American F1 team that will help spur even more global interest in the series and the sport.
“Cadillac and F1 both have growing global appeal. Our brand has a motorsports pedigree that’s more than a century in the making, and we would be proud to have the opportunity to bring our distinct American innovation and design to F1.”
