Rejection of Andretti Cadillac’s candidacy | Mario Andretti ‘offended’ by words used by Formula 1 management

(Long Beach) Mario Andretti said Friday he was deeply offended by the words used by Formula One management when the organization rejected his family’s and General Motors’ request to join the prestigious auto racing series.

The 1978 F1 world champion posted on social media that he was “devastated” at the announcement that F1 had reversed its decision in January to add two cars from the American team to the starting grid.

This decision was made after six months of review and evaluation of Andretti’s application. The reasons given stung Mario and Michael Andretti, as did GM, who hoped to work with Andretti in F1 under the Cadillac branch.

Among the reasons given by F1, it noted that it did not believe Andretti would be able to assemble a competitive team, that the Andretti family name did not add the value to the series claimed by Michael Andretti and that the challenge of preparing two cars within two years was bigger than Andretti thought.

As for F1’s doubts about GM’s abilities to supply an engine to the new team, simply instead asking GM to find a partner other than Andretti, this has infuriated Andretti once again.

“This is another offensive statement. We are the ones who developed the project and GM has said it many times: ‘It’s Andretti or nothing’. Then F1 turns around and tries to make them an offer,” Andretti said. Things happen behind the scenes where I don’t understand, but if they want blood, I’m ready.

Andretti then pointed to his forearm and pretended to open his veins to demonstrate his commitment to F1’s efforts.

Last week, Andretti Cadillac opened its new facilities for its F1 operation in Silverstone, England. Andretti noted that the facilities are open and that the team and GM are “keeping the momentum going” in their bid to join F1. His group and F1 meet again next month, during the F1 Grand Prix in Miami.

“We only had one meeting with them. There is a problem. It is not sufficient. That’s why I’m looking forward to the next meeting, said Andretti. I am still hopeful because we have not stopped working on this project. We reported it and you can see it’s not just lip service. »

Andretti maintains that the team’s goal is to make the grid in 2026, although F1 representatives have said they believe the goal is to have the team ready for the 2025 season.

He also declared that F1’s refusal was “a matter of money” and that the 10 existing teams did not want to share the revenue with a new partner.