Andretti Global has been eyeing a spot in Formula 1 for years, but it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster ride. Their first attempt came in 2021 when they tried to buy Sauber, but that deal fell apart due to disagreements over control. Fast forward to 2023, and they went for round two—this time trying to get an 11th team on the F1 grid.

The FIA was on board, but Liberty Media, F1’s commercial rights holder, wasn’t so convinced. They doubted that adding Andretti would make the sport any more competitive, and they didn’t see how it would help F1’s long-term growth. But then something changed: General Motors (GM) took the lead to bring the famed Cadillac into the F1 world. A new manufacturer is always a big deal in motorsport, and GM’s entry is a win for Andretti too, even if their name isn’t front and center.

A second chance for Mario Andretti

While Michael Andretti and his team were disappointed by F1’s initial rejection, there’s still a silver lining. Michael stepped back from the day-to-day operations of Andretti Global, handing over the reins to Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Global’s motorsport business. Towriss is now leading Andretti Global’s partnership with GM, and together they’re set to launch Cadillac’s F1 program in 2026.

For the Andretti’s, it’s a bit of a redemption story. After years of trying to get into F1, he’s thrilled to be part of Cadillac’s entry in a non-executive role. Even industry expert and IndyCar driver Conor Daly on the Dirty Mo podcast summed it up, saying, The fact that it couldn’t be Andretti Global, “I am a little bit sad about that. But I think I am not sad because still a lot of the same people are involved. Like Mario is going to have some sort of role. Mario is going to be there and he’s going to be around. And Dan Towriss who is obviously the glue guy to basically the entire Andretti Global IndyCar team or Andretti Global in general is involved.”

Here’s the deal: Andretti’s original pitch was an Andretti car with a GM engine. Now, it’s going to be a GM car with a GM engine, which is a huge shift. However, they’ll still need to partner with an existing F1 manufacturer like Ferrari or Renault for the first couple of years, since Cadillac’s engine won’t be ready until 2028.

Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, had this to say: “General Motors and Cadillac’s commitment to this project is an important and positive demonstration of the evolution of our sport. We look forward to seeing the progress and growth of this application, certain of the full collaboration and support of all the parties involved.”

Even though the Andretti name isn’t plastered on the car, they’re still very much involved. Mario Andretti, the legendary 1978 F1 champion and founder of Andretti Global, has been named to the board of directors. Mario won’t be in the trenches handling daily operations, but he’ll still be around to offer guidance, advice, and inspiration.

No matter how small of an involvement, Mario Andretti is pleased as he shared his excitement on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “I feel very lucky that I’ve been able to stick around for this long and do what I love for so long. And the idea that the Cadillac F1 Team wants me around… I’ll help where I can, offering advice, inspiration, friendship—anywhere I can. I am beyond fortunate.”

Moreover, the involvement of Andretti Global can increase in the future as the drives are yet to be decided for the Cadillac team.

Possible driver options for the GM in 2026

While nothing has been decided yet, Andretti Global’s IndyCar driver Colton Herta could be a top pick. With Zak Brown’s courtesy, Herta has been known to do some practice sessions with McLaren in the past. Herta was set to pilot a Red Bull’s B team RB (earlier AlphaTauri) but he lacked the required Super Licence points. SL points are needed to get an FIA-approved Super Licence, which is mandatory for competing in F1. Currently, Herta has 39 points short of the threshold of 40.

However, this would not be a tall task for Herta to achieve. If Herta finishes in the top 4 of the IndyCar standings next year, he’ll have enough points to secure an F1 seat. Conor Daly is betting on Herta being ready for F1 in 2026. “My first thought was like I assume we are getting Colton Herta we got to get him in there as soon as possible. But I don’t know if that’s the case. Who knows what’s next? I can see Colton Herta… here’s my cloud thought…Colton Herta wins the championship next year, F1 2026. That’s what I am seeing. I think that would be cool,” Daly said.

But if Herta doesn’t make the cut, GM has plenty of veteran options to consider. We could see someone like Valtteri Bottas, Daniel Ricciardo, or Kevin Magnussen, all of whom are without a confirmed 2025 seat. And don’t count out active drivers potentially switching to the American team for 2026—it’s all up in the air for now.

So, who do you think will be behind the wheel for Cadillac in 2026? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!