Motorsport legend Mario Andretti has stirred the Formula 1 community with interesting suggestions about future developments in the sport.
General Motors, under its Cadillac branding, is set to join the F1 grid in the 2026 season. Andretti's comments during an interview with CBS Detroit (below), hint at the potential for enlarging the grid to include a twelfth team.
General Motors stands as the first new team to be officially approved to enter Formula 1 since Haas made its debut under the stewardship of Gene Haas and Guenther Steiner.
Having met the stringent criteria outlined by Liberty Media and the FIA, GM demonstrates its robust commitment with plans to produce self-developed power units by 2028, along with sizable investments into F1's infrastructure. Their financial outlay, amounting to hundreds of millions, is intended to counterbalance the impact on the prize money available to current teams with an ever-widening grid.
During the interview, Andretti commented:
"Well, obviously, to have a manufacturer there – there's the ability to supply to other teams.
"It looks like the FIA might invite a twelfth team to join. So, again, there's always a need for an engine."
Historically, Andretti has faced obstacles in his quest to integrate into F1. Earlier in 2024, his team's bid to join was blocked by Liberty Media, though it had received FIA approval in October 2023. This led to debates and conjectures, with Andretti pointing out that Greg Maffei, Liberty Media's CEO, was determined to thwart their entry at all costs. However, as a potential tide-turning development, Maffei is set to step down, spurring hopes that Andretti's Formula 1 dreams may yet be realized.
In preparation for their anticipated entry, the Andretti team has continued developing a car in line with the 2026 regulations. Comprising around 250 personnel, the team has conducted crash tests on parts of their car slated for 2026, and frameworks are in place for their innovative designs though securing an engine partner remains an obstacle.
As for GM, Andretti sees their involvement as a substantial booster for the sport, commenting:
"To have another manufacturer, to be able to supply that, it actually reinforces the basics of Formula 1.
"They [GM/Cadillac] are very ambitious now, the schedule just keeps going up, there is incredible commitment.
"So to ensure yourself, that you're going to have a full grid and so on, this is a step forward for that."
Andretti has confirmed that his role within the Cadillac F1 team will be as director on the board. Commenting on his new role, he explained, as previously reported by Newsweek Sports:
"My first love was Formula 1 and now – 70 years later – the F1 paddock is still my happy place.
"I'm absolutely thrilled with Cadillac, Formula 1, Mark Walter, and Dan Towriss.
"To still be involved at this stage of my life — I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming."
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