Formula 1 might always be more American!
It has long been no secret that the US racing team “Andretti Autosport” of ex-racing driver Michael Andretti (60) wants to get into the pinnacle of motorsport. Now the ex-Formula 1 driver has found a powerful partner.
Mega corporation General Motors wants to start with the legendary US brand Cadillac together as “Andretti Cadilac”!
GM President Mark Reuss (55) on Thursday: “Today is the first step on the historic path that General Motors will hopefully start in Formula 1.”
“Andretti Cadillac” would be the second US team in Formula 1 alongside the Haas racing team, where Mick Schumacher (23) was under contract until the end of this season. The field of drivers would increase from the current ten to eleven constructors.
However, it is unclear when the new racing team will be seen on the track for the first time. Team boss Michael Andretti (1993 for McLaren in Formula 1), son of motorsport legend Mario Andretti (82, 1968 to 1982 in Formula 1): “We will be on the track as fast as it makes sense.”
Fiancée of DFB-Star simply WOW! We always imagined heads differently…
Fia boss and ex-rally star Mohammed bin Sulayem (61) tweeted immediately following the end of the press conference that he “welcomed” the news.
Captioning a photo of him with Michael Andretti, he writes: “I welcome the news of the Cadillac and Andretti partnership and the Fia looks forward to further discussions on the F1 World Championship expression of interest process.”
Only at the beginning of the week did the Fia President emphasize that the association would be looking for new teams.
The racing team itself is well known in the United States: The team has been driving in the US IndyCar racing series since 2003 following taking over “Team Green”. The team won the drivers’ championship in 2004, 2005 and 2007.
Is Formula 1 becoming more and more American with Andretti joining GM?
Formula 1, which is particularly popular in Europe, is currently experiencing huge hype in the States. With three races next season in Miami (May 7th), Austin (October 22nd) and the new track in Las Vegas (November 18th), the racing calendar is more “American” than it has been since 1982.
Reasons for the Formula 1 hype in the USA are also the sale of the rights to the US media group “Liberty Media” (including Discovery Channel) in 2016 and the success of the Netflix series “Drive to Survive”.
