Mario Andretti: GM deal with Ferrari for power units ‘the objective’

NEW YORK – General Motors is coming to the Formula One grid in 2026 with a team branded GM/Cadillac, but that does not mean the cars will be all-American.

Mario Andretti, who was named to the team’s board of directors, said that the GM/Cadillac team are hopeful for a deal with Italian powerhouses Ferrari for their power units.

“That’s what we’re talking about,” he told NBC News on Nov 26. “That’s not definite yet, but that’s the objective. And that’s the preference.”

While GM/Cadillac will have a place on the grid beginning in 2026, General Motors is not yet a power unit manufacturer for F1 and is targeting 2028 to begin providing them. The team will have to use another company’s engines in the meantime.

This means that GM/Cadillac will need to buy an engine for 2026 and 2027, with Ferrari seen as a leading candidate given that they will have a spare supply when Sauber become Audi.

GM/Cadillac, meanwhile, has also already assembled a team to work on aerodynamics, chassis and component development, software, and vehicle dynamics simulation.

Regarding the new project, it will join hands with TWG Global and Andretti, the last US world champion in 1978.

Andretti spent a portion of his decorated racing career driving for Ferrari. The Italian-born American won 12 grands prix and one F1 drivers’ championship.

“My history with Ferrari, and my relationship with Mr (Enzo) Ferrari – all of it plays, plays tremendously,” he said. “There are so many factors here that make a lot of sense. It will be best of all worlds.”

His involvement leaves some Andretti influence in the General Motors team after a bid by his 62-year-old son Michael was previously rejected by F1.

The younger Andretti stepped back from Andretti Global, and GM was publicly approved on Nov 25.

Mario Andretti also hinted at the team’s driver strategy when speaking to NBC News.

“From our standpoint, I think the play at the beginning would be to have one experienced driver – nationality doesn’t matter – and then a young American talent,” the 84-year-old said. “These are the objectives at the moment.”

He was also asked about his thoughts on how an American car manufacturer would be a big deal for Formula One’s US audience and what it means for the country.

“Formula One is really the Olympics of motor sports, because of the international nature of it,” Andretti said.

“And so there’s a lot of national pride that goes with it. And we have three races like no other country on the planet has. And to have your own team playing, just like when you have our own performers in the Olympics – the national anthem will play when you’re (at) the top step of the podium. So that’s what you’re looking for.

“Let’s face it, that’s what you’re in the business for. That creates that type of excitement. The fans will expect a lot from us, and we understand that. We expect a lot from ourselves.”

The second edition of the Las Vegas Grand Prix concluded on Nov 23 with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen claiming his fourth consecutive championship with a fifth-place finish.

Drivers had said the race is finding its footing on and off the track after its first-year struggles and said they look forward to returning to Sin City for the flashy night race along the Las Vegas Strip.

“Vegas is just a crazy, crazy place,” Mercedes’ race winner George Russell said. “When you’re driving, you see all of this (view) in the background. I can’t even describe this place.”

Third-place finisher Carlos Sainz of Ferrari added that “it’s been a step forward compared to last year”.

“I feel like last year, F1, if anything, was trying a bit too hard to put on too much of a show,” he said.

“It got a bit too much away from Formula One and too much into Vegas style. This year we’ve just been just more normal doing our own thing. And it’s been a success. It just shows the Formula One product works.” REUTERS