P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Andretti’s Formula 1 Technical Director Nick Chester sat down for an exclusive conversation with Motorsport Week just a day after
Chester has an extensive background in Formula 1, starting with Simtek in the mid-nineties and moving to teams like Arrows, Benetton, Renault, and Lotus, where he played a crucial role in Fernando Alonso’s championships. He then served as Technical Director at Mercedes Formula E before joining Andretti F1 project as its Technical Director, preparing for their entry to the Formula 1 grid in 2026. The expansion of the Andretti F1 project includes establishing a new facility in Silverstone, UK, with plans for further growth. This project is a global effort, with collaboration between Andretti Global in the US, General Motors, and their base in Indianapolis. Chester and the team are also focusing on expanding into FIA-recognized junior formulas like Formula 2 and 3 to develop talents both on the track and behind the scenes. The team is currently recruiting heavily, with 80 staff in the UK, 50 at General Motors, and plans to continue expanding the team for the 2026 F1 entry. Despite the tight timeline, the project is progressing with crash testing, chassis prototyping, driver layout development, and other crucial preparations for their Formula 1 debut in 2026.
