Andretti Global, Cadillac Team Up for Shot at F1

Cadillac announced today that it is going to pair with Andretti Global to make a run at competing in Formula 1.

The team would be U.S.-based with a support facility in the U.K.

This doesn't mean the team is actually in F1 yet. It needs to submit an Expression of Interest when governing body FIA formally opens the process. Then, if selected, the team will look to compete as soon as it can, with plans to seat at least one American driver.

Cadillac has been racing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Pirelli World Challenge. It plans to continue in the IMSA series, as well as in the FIA World Endurance Championship, with its hybrid V-LMDh.

Andretti Global is the parent company of Andretti Autosport. Andretti is currently competing in seven series.

Andretti and General Motors/Cadillac have worked together before, back in 2012. Back then, they were competing in the NTT IndyCar Series, and the team had nine wins across two seasons.

“We are continuing to grow Andretti Global and its family of racing teams and always have our eyes on what’s next. I feel very strongly that we are 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," Michael Andretti, Chairman and CEO, Andretti Global, said in a statement. “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.”

“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," Mark Reuss, President, General Motors said. “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.”

[Image: Cadillac]

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