Mario Andretti: 'Addition of our team makes Formula 1 better'

A year ago, Mario Andretti, who was 82 at the time, got to drive a few laps in a McLaren Formula One car. At the Circuit of the Americas, he set some pretty fast laps. Afterwards, the 1978 F1 world champion even commented that he could have gone even faster. The smile on the American's face was telling.

Those few laps on the eve of the 2022 United States Grand Prix demonstrated once again what everyone has obviously known for decades: Mario Andretti is a real racer. This is also the man who, with his son Michael, has built a successful motorsport empire from scratch, now successful in IMSA, IndyCar, Extreme E and Formula E. If it is up to father and son, Formula 1 will be added in the near future. The FIA has now granted an F1 licence to Andretti-Cadillac.

Joy after FIA decision

"Absolutely very happy because they [Andretti-Cadillac] went through it, they checked every box, and they did everything that was asked of them," Mario Andretti (83) responded in an exclusive interview with GPblog about the work of his son and his team. From his study at his large estate in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, the motorsport legend continued: "And that's all you can do. But again, I think they've proven they're here to stay. They have a long-term commitment.

"The FIA had a very rigorous process, which lasted almost eight months or so. There was a lot of stuff there to be able to guarantee. The team responded to every single request. For us to bring the biggest US manufacturer to Formula 1 for the very first time, that has to be something valuable from the standpoint of Formula 1 in my opinion."

'What else can Andretti-Cadillac do?'

Formula One. Of course, Andretti is referring to the owners Liberty Media and Formula One Management. They are by no means eager to allow an 11th team on the grid. There are doubts as to whether Andretti-Cadillac is a valuable partner both commercially and athletically? "I don't know what else you can do." Andretti senior responded to the mistrust. "Perform miracles? Every aspect of what was asked of us has been met. The ultimate was to bring a manufacturer. The manufacturer is there alongside us."

"With three races in America, wouldn't it be nice to have a full-fledged American team with an American manufacturer? Potentially, at least probably one American driver [Colton Herta, who does not yet have a super licence for F1]. That remains to be seen, but that's the objective. So here again, a lot of things are aligning."

Are you worried that Andretti-Cadillac might not be allowed to enter F1?

"Of course, you worry, but I think you have to look at the big picture. If you're looking at just yourself and what is important for yourself, you're not doing Formula 1 any favours. You have to look at the long-term, the strength of Formula 1, what is asked of the teams by having more and more races. It's daunting. Obviously, it's a very ambitious schedule which keeps growing."

"So [with allowing Andretti] you guarantee that you have a full grid. What if teams, for some reason now, would drop out? You would only have 18 cars. The FIA said it clearly that 24 cars, 12 teams is what can be allowed. So it's all within the rules and regulations. To have a team that is willing to produce and be committed for the future at this stage. We will not be on the grid until 25 anyway. So it's a long time from now, but let's think about the future. The sport that we love so much we want it to be stronger. That's one way to do it.

"When you invest in a business at the level that we're investing has to be a good thing. Let's face it, the value of the teams since we've been talking to become another has doubled. So there's value right there. There's something that was gained already, if you will. So I don't see a negative here."

Andretti remains hopeful of entry in '25

Formula 1 are not expected to decide whether to allow Andretti in until the first quarter of 2024. In case of a positive answer, the Americans might choose to delay the entry for a year, given the time constraints. Moreover, for 2026, there would be more options in terms of engine suppliers, as Cadillac won't build their own power unit - at least for the first few years.

"Right now, you have to try to be as ambitious as possible," said Andretti. "But at this point, these are the objectives [starting in 2025], and you're trying to do everything possible to try to make that happen. Obviously, the earlier that everything is officially accepted, the better it is. You can imagine time is of the essence right now. You cannot dispute that. We're working day and night on this. To be approved by the FIA is a huge step because that was a rigorous, rigorous, rigorous process."

Mario Andretti wants to remain an insider

It is admirable how Mario Andretti and his son Michael keep working stubbornly. For years, Andretti has had the ambition of being allowed to start his own F1 team, but it has proved to be a complicated process. The FIA's 'yes' does not change anything; there is still a long way to go. Many others would have long since thrown in the towel and sought another hobby in frustration. Mario Andretti is not like that.

"As you can imagine, I love the sport so much, and I see the prospect of being part of it for the rest of my life, possibly. I like to have a reason to go to the races because we have a place to be. I don't have to try to be a guest somewhere, which is always, in a way, sponsored and everything. I like to have my own home. That's the way it's been my entire life. I'm not a tourist per se," Andretti said.

"I'm a great fan, but I'm one of those who want to be on the inside. I like to be on the inside because that's my role the way it's been. And this will give me all the reason to just be part of it, travel and enjoy that side of it. Because again, I cannot say enough that that's been my life, and I wanted to continue that until the end."