“We are currently in the process of our endeavors, and we remain optimistic about our progress,” stated Andretti in an interview with The Associated Press. Andretti arrived in St. Petersburg ahead of the upcoming IndyCar race and made it clear that he would not discuss Formula 1 before the interview. In January, after a thorough review, F1 announced that Andretti and General Motors, through their Cadillac bid, would not be accepted into the series. However, there is a possibility of reconsideration in 2028 if General Motors develops a suitable engine.
F1 rejected the Andretti application, stating that they did not believe Andretti would be a competitive team. They also claimed that the Andretti name does not hold the value that Michael Andretti believes it does. Additionally, F1 mentioned that joining the grid within the next two years would pose a significant challenge for Andretti. Both Andretti and General Motors found the negative commentary unnecessary and questioned its purpose in what could have been a simple rejection letter.
Despite the rejection, Andretti Cadillac remains dedicated to their F1 project and continues to make progress. Andretti even mentioned that the team recently conducted crash tests on the nose of an F1 car they have constructed. Furthermore, Andretti expressed interest in expanding into NASCAR, but he believes that partnering with an existing team is the most likely path for him. This approach mirrors his entry into IMSA sports car racing, where he merged with Wayne Taylor Racing and plans to move their operations into the Andretti shop currently being built in Indiana.
Andretti acknowledged that entering NASCAR is a lower priority compared to the F1 project in terms of organizational focus. If Andretti decides to merge with a team, Spire Motorsports is the leading candidate, as they receive substantial sponsorship from Gainbridge, a company owned by Andretti Global co-owner Dan Towriss. (Report by Jenna Fryer)