Mario Andretti reassured by Cadillac: "I won't disappoint you"

A leading figure in the sport, Mario Andretti claims to have received personal guarantees from the head of the new Cadillac team, Graeme Lowdon, as the team prepares to discover the Formula 1 in the era of new regulations. Cadillac's arrival marks the integration of the first new team in Formula 1 in ten years and the arrival of the other American team on the grid. HaasAt the origin of this adventure was Michael Andretti, who championed the project before it was hampered by the initial reluctance of Formula 1 and its commercial bodies.

In 2024, Mario Andretti revealed that at the time, Greg Maffei, then CEO of Liberty Media, had made it clear to him that discipline would not allow "never enter" his team. A statement that clearly illustrated the resistance encountered behind the scenes. Maffei has since left his position, at the end of his contract which was due to run until the end of 2024, and has been replaced by John Malone. The situation changed when Cadillac officially committed to the project, allowing for a reconfiguration of the structure and, ultimately, the approval of the listing. This green light marked a turning point for an initiative that, for months, seemed doomed.

A relationship of trust with Lowdon

Still involved as a consultant, Mario Andretti is closely following the team's initial steps. He says he sought a direct commitment from Graeme Lowdon. “I looked him straight in the eyes and said, ‘Graeme, I’m counting on you.’”he confided. The response would have been immediate: "Mario, I won't let you down." Beyond the formula, the former world champion insists on the quality of their relationship. "Whenever I want to learn something about progress, etc., I call him [...] He's my go-to person for advice." A constant link, which he describes as essential to staying informed about the project's progress.

Cadillac is entering the sport at a time when it is introducing one of the most ambitious regulatory changes in its recent history. For Mario Andretti, this context represents an opportunity rather than a risk. "This is exactly the moment I thought was the most opportune to launch. When there are new regulations, everyone starts from scratch."  The former pilot, however, harbors no illusions. "You're facing the best in the world [...] There are mountains to climb, that's undeniable." The competition is fierce and the learning curve is steep, but it highlights the collective mindset: "Everyone is ready to get started. That's the beauty of sport: getting on the track and making some noise."

During the first test sessions, the car Cadillac has gradually improved in reliability. Nevertheless, its mileage remains lower than that of most of its competitors, only Aston Martin did less, and their best time recorded by Valtteri Bottas was more than three seconds behind the reference time set by Charles Leclerc in his Classic Ferrari for sale. These figures reflect the scale of the project, but they don't seem to have shaken the confidence displayed internally. Mario Andretti mentions... "solid foundations" and is counting on continuity of work to bridge the gap.

ALSO READ > Interview – Graeme Lowdon (Cadillac): “Satisfied and very proud of what we have accomplished”