Michael Andretti is currently facing a tough situation, as he has been sidelined from his motorsports organization and will not hold any position within the Formula 1 program he worked tirelessly to establish over the past four years. His ambitious plan to partner with General Motors for a new venture in Formula 1 received approval just last week, approximately one month after Andretti stepped down from overseeing his racing teams. The approval for the Cadillac F1 team comes amidst a federal antitrust investigation that questions why Andretti Global was denied entry as the 11th team in the league. This development comes after Andretti’s partners, Dan Towriss and Mark Walter, acquired a controlling stake in the endeavor.
In a heartfelt post on social media, Andretti expressed his pride in the team working on the Cadillac F1 project, acknowledging their dedication in building an American works team. “I’m very proud of the hard work they have put in and congratulate all involved on this momentous next step. I will be cheering for you!” he stated. While he remains absent from the F1 team, it’s still uncertain what his ongoing involvement will be with his IndyCar team. His father, the legendary 1978 F1 champion Mario Andretti, will serve on the board of the F1 team and take on the role of ambassador.
The sudden shift in Formula 1’s stance toward Andretti is puzzling, especially given that his previous application was met with ridicule during a January denial. Insights into this pivot have been minimal, with most attributing it to GM’s enhanced commitment to a more active role in the team beyond simply providing engine support. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA, has been a strong supporter of GM’s bid since its inception. In a recent interview, he noted that Andretti’s proposal was the only one among seven to receive approval from the governing body. He remarked that F1’s acknowledgment of the GM team was a positive move for motorsports overall, while expressing sympathy for Michael Andretti’s situation.
“I feel he should be proud because he’s the founder who started this thing with his partners,” Ben Sulayem remarked. “We conducted a thorough review and never favored anyone; Michael’s application met all the necessary criteria for approval. He’s a wonderful person, and I don’t believe this was a personal slight against him.” He continued to address concerns raised by existing teams, emphasizing their worries about financial implications. Some teams were opposed to sharing the earnings between 11 teams rather than the previous 10. However, when it comes to GM’s approval, Ben Sulayem suggested it was only a matter of time, distancing the decision from Michael’s departure from the forefront.
The backdrop of a Justice Department investigation may have played a significant role in shifting the F1’s dynamics. Liberty Media announced it was under scrutiny earlier this summer, shortly after Mario Andretti discussed the rejection with government officials in Washington. At last month’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, it was reported that the FBI was present, with Ben Sulayem confirming he had been interviewed by federal investigators. He stated, “It is the department that protects the interest of the United States, and the FIA has nothing to conceal. I was honored to discuss this with them, and they were respectful and understanding. I wanted clarity on the situation, as having GM in F1 is beneficial for business.”
Currently, Formula 1 only includes one American team, which is owned by Gene Haas, a businessman from California, despite hosting a record three races in the U.S. If the Cadillac F1 team enters the grid as planned in 2026, this would bring the total count of American teams to two, with Ford also set to join Red Bull as a technical partner in that season. The F1 project, sans Andretti, will be managed by TWG Global, an investment firm led by Walter, who is the controlling owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chelsea FC, along with Towriss, who began supporting Andretti before taking an ownership role in the Andretti organization in 2022.
Towriss now holds the majority of ownership in the Andretti racing teams, with operations for the F1 team continuing from Andretti’s facilities in Indiana, a newly established satellite factory in Silverstone, alongside GM’s facilities in North Carolina and Michigan. Towriss is also the CEO of the motorsports division at TWG Global. As for the driver lineup for the newly formed F1 team, details have yet to emerge, though Valtteri Bottas has expressed interest in being part of the team, while former plans indicated that current IndyCar driver Colton Herta, sponsored by Towriss’ company Gainbridge, was being considered for a role.
