Mario Andretti named as director on board of General Motors F1 team

The Andretti family will maintain an involvement in the restructured plan for a General Motors Formula 1 team, with Mario Andretti, the 1978 world champion, serving as a director on the board.

F1 recently announced the agreement in principle for the GM group to enter grand prix racing in 2026 with its own team, following a revised plan from the previous Cadillac-backed Andretti entry that was rejected earlier in the year.

The new project, which has seen Michael Andretti step back from his role, will no longer carry the Andretti name in the F1 operation. Instead, it will be a GM/Cadillac team in partnership with TWG Global, the owner and operator of Andretti Global.

Despite the change, GM has confirmed that Mario Andretti will still have some ties to the team, serving as a director but not involved in day-to-day operations.

Mario Andretti with Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Team

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

Mario Andretti expressed his gratitude, stating: “I feel very lucky that I’ve been able to stick around for this long and do what I love for so long. And the idea that the Cadillac F1 Team wants me around… I’ll help where I can, a non-executive role with the team, not involved in day-to-day operations (because I don’t want a job), but offering advice, inspiration, friendship anywhere I can. I am beyond fortunate.”

Reflecting on his enduring love for Formula 1, he added: “My first love was Formula 1 and now – 70 years later – the F1 paddock is still my happy place. I’m absolutely thrilled with Cadillac, Formula 1, Mark Walter, and Dan Towriss. To still be involved at this stage of my life — I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.”

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Mario Andretti had been vocal about feeling unfairly treated by F1 in rejecting their original entry hopes, while Michael Andretti, who initiated the project through Andretti Global, will not have a role moving forward but fully supports GM’s initiative.

In a statement, Michael Andretti expressed his pride in the Cadillac F1 Team and congratulated everyone involved on this significant next step, stating: “I will be cheering for you!”