Denial of Andretti Cadillac candidacy | Mario Andretti was ‘disgusted’ by the words used by Formula One Management

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

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

Among the reasons given by F1, it noted that it did not believe that Andretti could assemble a competitive team, that the Andretti surname did not increase the value of the series claimed by Michael Andretti and that the challenge of preparing two cars inside. two years was longer than Andretti believed.

As for F1’s doubts about GM’s ability to supply engines to new teams, instead of asking GM to find a partner other than Andretti, this has angered Andretti once again.

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

Andretti then held out his hand and pretended to open his veins to show his commitment to the F1 effort.

Last week, Andretti Cadillac unveiled its new facilities for its F1 operation at Silverstone, England. Andretti noted that the facilities are clear and that the team and GM are “moving forward” in their quest to join F1. His group and that of F1 will meet again next month, during the F1 Grand Prix in Miami.

“We only had one meeting with them. It’s a problem. It’s not enough. That’s why I’m looking forward to our next meeting, Andretti said. I remain hopeful because we haven’t stopped working on this project. We’ve reported it and you see it’s not just lip service. »

Andretti maintains 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 announced that F1’s refusal was a “money issue” and that the existing 10 teams did not want to share revenue with the new partner.