Mario Andretti Says Andretti F1 Bid Is ‘Trying to Check Every Box They Put in Front of Us’

• Mario Andretti said on Friday in Las Vegas that Andretti Global's new manufacturer partnership with General Motors should finally put Michael Andretti's F1 bid over the top.

• While no timetable has been announced for an Andretti car to be sitting on the Formula 1 grid, it is believed the Andretti Global team with Cadillac could enter F1 in 2026.

• Mario Andretti said the team has an F1 organization ready to spring into action to field a competitive team.

Thursday's announcement that General Motors and its Cadillac brand were partnering with Michael Andretti caught most of the racing world by surprised.

One person who wasn't surprised was racing legend and former F1 champion Mario Andretti, who said the deal with GM should finally put son Michael's F1 bid over the top.

"I'm a part of it, part of the discussions," the 82-year-old Mario Andretti said on Friday during a promotional stop at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. "I'm working with Michael every day. I'm in constant contact with the president of the FIA (Mohammed Ben Sulayem). We've been working together on part of it. I knew all of the events coming.

"I'm just delighted that it came to this point, no question, because I think the partnership with General Motors is fantastic, certainly for us and I hope it is for them. The fact that General Motors for the very first time will be entering Formula 1, it's a great thing for the sport."

Mario's role in the Andretti Global F1 bid can best be described as a consultant. He's careful to let Michael and his team of investment partners take on the heavy lifting.

"I'm delighted as can be for Michael and his team," the elder Andretti said. "I'm there, but I'm on the outside, if you will. I don't want a job, but I'm enjoying what's happening, and I've been called upon to be a part of it."

Mario tipped the world off to his son's Formula 1 bid on social media nearly a year ago. Now, finally, the finish line is in sight. While no timetable has been announced for an Andretti car to be sitting on the grid, it is believed the Andretti Global team with Cadillac could enter F1 in 2026 when the sport's next generation of engine regulations kick in.

"You have to have the backing, and there are so many moving parts to be able to make this happen," Mario Andretti said. "We've been at this for almost a year now—this movement that started in February of last year. We've been trying to check every box that they've put in front of us. Some people have been very helpful, others not."

It's been clear from the start of the bid that several F1 teams are not in favor of adding an 11th team to the field. For most teams, it's been simply a matter of not wanting to split the Formula 1 pie with one more team.

"Overall, however, the important people have been there with us all the way and believing in us," the father said. "And Michael, I'm so proud of this. Many people would have given up halfway through, quite honestly. We did a lot of work and we came up with what they asked."

Adding General Motors and the Cadillac brand, the elder Andretti believes, should be the final piece to the puzzle and eventual acceptance into the Formula 1 circus.

"It's a matter of formality now," he said. "General Motors is with us for the future, that's done. It's established. It's official.

Andretti added that the team has an F1 organization ready to spring into action to field a competitive team.

"We have so many people standing by—good people, experienced—but many don't want to leave the job they have unless we have something for sure," he said. "We've been doing a lot of work to prepare as if we had the permission already.

"So, we're not starting from scratch."