Analysis | Formula 1 can no longer ignore Andretti Cadillac
General
- Ludo van Denderen
In case anyone doubted it: Andretti and certainly Cadillac really mean business. This is evident from the automaker's application to develop and produce its own F1 engines from 2028. An important step, which could just be the missing link to join the Formula 1 grid.
Within the F1 paddock, there were already mutterings that Andretti and Cadillac might want to enter the grid for a short time, only to hand over to someone else for a lot of money. But a joint entry into Formula 1 is not an interlude or sideshow for either powerhouse; Andretti-Cadillac wants to join the sport AND be successful. There is no other way to judge the application to the FIA. By committing itself now for 2028 and beyond, Cadillac is showing that it is serious about investing in the sport and seeing a long-term future in it.
Surely that should be a convincing argument for the current teams, who are by no means eager to include Andretti Cadillac. They fear a loss of revenue if the pie no longer has to be divided between 10 but 11 parties. But if General Motors - one of the largest carmakers in the world - joins the select group of Mercedes, Alpine, Ferrari, Red Bull Powertrains/Ford, Audi and Honda, it is certainly going to have a positive impact in the US market. In other words, new revenue streams for everyone.
Andretti Cadillac has to batten down for now
Let's also be honest: a team like Haas that is currently struggling, what future does it really have in Formula 1 if it is so dependent on those few extra dollars that a rejection from Andretti brings? As for the future, Andretti does not have to worry about it, if it becomes General Motors' factory team. There is plenty of money in Detroit, after all. To give you an idea: in 2022, GM made $9.9 billion in profits.
The only 'downside' for Andretti Cadillac is that an F1 power unit is not realised overnight. See how Audi is currently - allegedly - having problems with development for the PU for '26. As a result, Andretti will have to turn to another engine supplier up to and including the '27 season - i.e. a maximum of three years. The most obvious for that is still Alpine, although the earlier option to work together has since expired. That power unit will then be branded Cadillac.
With the Las Vegas Grand Prix just around the corner - in the United States, that is - the teams are undoubtedly going to get questions about this new development in the Andretti Cadillac file. Surely the negative tone is starting to slowly change to a positive one?