General
Andretti shows decisiveness: Is Symonds the missing link for F1?
- Ludo van Denderen
Oh the irony. A leading figure of Formula One Management, of all people, is leaving the organisation to join Andretti Global. Indeed, FOM was the party that felt Andretti and its engine partner Cadillac did not add value as a possible eleventh team in the sport at this time. However, the fact that the experienced Pat Symonds, until last Tuesday the CTO of Formula 1, chose the US team instead, is yet another sign that Andretti is not necessarily resigned to the (provisional) rejection and continues to work hard to realise his dream.
Michael Andretti's work ethic is admirable. Plenty of others who would have thrown in the towel after a 'no' from the FOM, only to focus on other things. Andretti could have done so, as he is already successful in so many other series; including IndyCar, IMSA and Formula E. To prove he has a top-notch organisation in motorsport, the American - himself a former Formula 1 driver - really doesn't need the king class.
Andretti's never give up
But Andretti is honourable. A trait he undoubtedly inherited from his father Mario, undeniably the best US driver ever. Even at 84, Andretti senior is a silent force behind the motorsport division his son has built from the ground up, with his contacts in motorsport and relentless enthusiasm for convincing the world that Andretti really does add what is needed to F1. Sooner or later that should surely lead to Andretti Cadillac's entry into Formula One, 1978 F1 world champion believes.
Possibly the unprecedented spirit of father and son to reach Formula 1 - or even to be very successful in F1 - is one of the reasons for the experienced Symonds to join forces with the Andrettis. After his mandatory gardening leave, the Briton goes to work as an executive engineering consultant at the Andretti base at Silverstone, and no one doubts that the vast expertise Symonds brings with him is of immense value to the Americans. Not only was he (co-)responsible for world titles for Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso as technical man, above all he knows the technical regulations for 2026 and beyond like the back of his hand. After all, he drafted them himself.
Is Symonds opening the final doors for Andretti Cadillac?
A side benefit for Andretti is that Symonds is a much-loved personality in the F1 paddock, for whom the doors are always wide open. He in particular could prove to be the missing link to get Andretti Cadillac on the grid after all. After all, the FOM and the ten current F1 teams must also see: If Pat Symonds believes in a successful venture by Andretti Global, who are they to doubt it?
This article was written in collaboration with Sophia Crothall.