Andretti Formula Racing, backed by Andretti Global, has received formal approval to enter Formula 1 with Cadillac engines. The team, which competes in various series including IndyCar, Formula E, and the Extreme E electric SUV races, was the only one of the four interested parties to secure a place in the current 20-team lineup. The Formula 2 teams Hitech Grand Prix and Rodin Carlin, as well as the Asian start-up LKY SUNZ, were unsuccessful in their bids. Even the commitment to reserve one spot on the grid for a female driver did not help LKY SUNZ.
The criteria for teams to enter the championship in the 2025 season were very demanding. Among them was a commitment to pay an entry fee of over $200 million, which would be evenly distributed among the ten existing participants. The new team also had to bring „long-term value“ to Formula 1, including demonstrating racing experience, technical knowledge, ownership details, and information about infrastructure and technical resources. Environmental considerations were also taken into account, with Andretti having to show how they would contribute to the series‘ goal of carbon neutrality by 2030.
Andretti Formula Racing, led by Michael Andretti, son of the legendary 1978 Formula 1 World Champion Mario Andretti, was able to meet all these requirements. However, the ultimate decision lies with Formula One Management (FOM), which must give its consent for any new team to participate in the championship. In a brief statement, FOM, owned by Liberty Media, acknowledged the FIA’s conclusions regarding the first and second phases of their process and stated that they would conduct their own assessment of the validity of Andretti’s request.
In the world of motorsports, as in any other business, money plays a crucial role. Andretti Formula Racing has an advantage in this regard as an established American company. The United States is a market that Formula 1 is aggressively targeting, especially after the success of the Drive to Survive series in the country. With races already held in Austin and Miami, a Grand Prix will be held in Las Vegas in November, making it the third race in the United States during a single season.
This is not the first time that Andretti has attempted to enter Formula 1. Five years ago, he tried to buy the Force India team, which was ultimately acquired by Lawrence Stroll’s consortium and now races under the Aston Martin name. He then attempted to buy the Sauber team, which currently races as Alfa Romeo and will become Audi’s factory team from 2026 onwards. Andretti expressed his frustration earlier this year, stating that he had approached all the teams but none of them were interested in selling or even discussing it.
While it may be difficult to imagine Andretti walking into Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello or Red Bull’s headquarters in Milton Keynes with a multi-billion dollar offer to buy such established and successful teams, it is a more rational consideration for teams in the middle of the grid. However, this route was not possible, hence the participation in the FIA tender.
After succeeding in the tender process, Andretti still has to negotiate with representatives from Liberty Media to prove that having two American teams is more than just Haas. Additionally, there is the added bonus of securing sponsorship from General Motors, with the Cadillac brand being mentioned specifically.
