P1racenews AI automatic summary:
We’ve come a long way since word started to get around that Michael Andretti was trying to buy Sauber and enter Formula 1. That was over two years ago, and since then in early 2022 the plan shifted…
Since Michael Andretti’s initial attempt to buy Sauber and enter Formula 1, the plan has shifted to creating a new team called Andretti-Cadillac with General Motors’ support. Despite initial doubts, the FIA approved Andretti’s application, allowing commercial discussions with Formula One Management (FOM) to take place. FOM has consistently shown skepticism, while FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem publicly supported the project. Existing teams have expressed concerns about potential financial implications and competition, insisting that Andretti’s team should have strong backing from a major automotive manufacturer as its power unit supplier. In a surprising turn of events, just before the Las Vegas Grand Prix, General Motors confirmed its plans to become a power unit manufacturer from 2028 onwards. F1 has been relatively quiet about this development, possibly due to Andretti’s team still awaiting approval. However, as FOM continues to raise the bar and Andretti-Cadillac meets every new target, it aligns more closely with FOM’s desires. The involvement of General Motors as a full power unit manufacturer further boosts the project’s viability.
