In early 2023, General Motors (GM) formed a partnership with Andretti with the aim of expanding the current grid of 10 teams in F1 to 11. The objective was to allow Michael Andretti to establish an authentically American team in the global motorsports series. Initially, GM’s commitment was solely focused on supplying engines for Andretti.
After receiving approval from F1’s governing body, the FIA, for the Andretti application, GM subsequently submitted a formal request to become an official engine supplier in 2028. However, F1 recently rejected Andretti’s application, citing concerns about the team’s competitiveness and the perceived value of the Andretti name in the series. F1 also highlighted the challenges that Andretti would face in joining the grid within the next two years.
F1 expressed a willingness to reconsider Andretti’s application once GM has a ready-to-use engine by 2028. Nevertheless, both GM and the Andretti camp have expressed frustration and anger over F1’s dismissive attitude towards Andretti Cadillac’s ability to field a competitive car. When questioned about this matter at Daytona International Speedway, the director of GM Racing, Jim Campbell, emphasized the company’s unwavering confidence in their application. However, he declined to comment on whether GM felt insulted by F1’s assertions.
Campbell stated, “We are extremely pleased with the strength of our application. The FIA thoroughly evaluated it alongside other applicants and provided their vote of confidence and approval. While Formula One Management has made their statement, we have requested a follow-up meeting with them, and we will address the matter through that process.”
“We are confident that between Andretti and Cadillac, we have the potential to field a competitive entry. While we acknowledge that it won’t be easy, both our organizations have a track record of success in various motorsports categories, including Cadillac and Andretti. Our collaborative teams are actively working on developing our car at a rapid pace. That is the current status of our efforts,” he explained.
Campbell also mentioned that GM could potentially manufacture an engine for Andretti for the 2026 season. However, due to not initially planning to be a power unit supplier, they did not apply for it when the new engine regulations come into effect in two years.
“When registering as a power unit supplier, there is a deadline to adhere to. For us, that deadline was last June for the 2028 season,” Campbell clarified. “If we had wanted to develop an engine earlier, we would have had to register the previous year. So, it’s simply a regulation.”
F1, in their rejection, alleged that Andretti Cadillac did not respond to an invitation for an in-person meeting in December to discuss their application. The Andretti group only became aware of this invitation when F1 disclosed it, and their IT department discovered that the email sent on December 12 had ended up in their junk mail folder.
The email did not originate from F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, and there was no follow-up from F1 when they did not receive a response from Andretti. F1 stated on Friday that the invitation was sent by a senior staff member who had previously communicated with the Andretti group via email. Andretti Cadillac has now requested a meeting with FOM.
“As mentioned earlier, we have faith in the application we submitted, which highlights the capabilities of both Andretti as a race team and Cadillac as a manufacturing and engineering entity,” Campbell stated. “Therefore, we are confident in our application and are seeking a meeting with FOM.” (Reporting by Jenna Fryer)
According to the Source grandprix247.com