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Another American Team Heads to F1. Will We See an American Driver?
With the announcement Monday that Cadillac would join the Formula 1 grid in 2026, and become an engine supplier by 2028, long-suffering F1 fans in the U.S. have reason to rejoice—within reason.
Even Greg Maffei, outgoing president and CEO of Colorado-based Liberty Media, which owns F1, seemed buoyed by the development. “With Formula 1’s continued growth plans in the U.S., we have always believed that welcoming an impressive U.S. brand like GM/Cadillac to the grid and GM as a future power unit supplier could bring additional value and interest to the sport,” he said.
That’s a far cry from what former F1 champ Mario Andretti was telling the media last May, when he said he spoke to Maffei at a reception for the Miami Grand Prix. At the moment Andretti’s son, Michael, had partnered with Cadillac, and together they were seeking entry into F1. According to Mario, Maffei said this: “Mario, I want to tell you that I will do everything in my power to see that Michael never enters Formula 1.” Presumably Maffei was miffed that Michael, and for that matter Mario, had done everything short of going to Congress to publicly influence Liberty Media to grant Andretti Cadillac a seat at the table.
No, wait, they did go to Congress, and a dozen members of that body sent a letter to Liberty demanding answers as to why Andretti Cadillac’s application for inclusion on the F1 grid was rejected. Likely their questions did not sit well with Maffei, and it appeared at the time that Cadillac’s wish to go Formula 1 racing would go down the drain. After all, with the announcement that the group would be seeking an F1 license, GM President Mark Reuss, a dedicated racing fan, said this in January of 2023: “General Motors is honored to team with Andretti Global on this historic moment in racing. We have a long, rich history in motorsports and engineering innovation, and we are thrilled with the prospect of pairing with Andretti Global to form an American F1 team that will help spur even more global interest in the series and the sport.”
Of course, that didn’t fly. It wasn’t until Michael Andretti stepped down last month as president and CEO of his own company, Andretti Global, that things started happening. And they happened fast. It took less than two months for Cadillac to be granted entry into F1; Michael had been trying for two years. Given the limited time frame, the new F1 team will have to build on the foundation that Michael had already laid.
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Bottom line: Cadillac, a distinctly American company, is going F1 racing. And Reuss is still solidly behind the project. “It’s an honor for General Motors and Cadillac to join the world’s premier racing series,” he said yesterday, “and we’re committed to competing with passion and integrity to elevate the sport for race fans around the world.”
Even with the backing of General Motors, effectively penetrating the world’s toughest racing series will not be easy. And there’s no guarantee that a team based in America will feel that much like an American team.
After the failure of the U.S. F1 Team to find funding, even after it was promised a spot on the F1 grid in 2010, and even after the team principals promised to promote American drivers, the prospect of a genuine U.S. team never seemed darker. But in April of 2014, American businessman Gene Haas announced that he had been granted a license to establish a Formula 1 team that would be based in America, and the possibilities soared. Finally, a properly financed American F1 team! Haas was already part owner of NASCAR’s Stewart-Haas Racing, with driver Tony Stewart: Certainly Haas F1 would leave a great big American footprint.
But it didn’t. Never happened then, isn’t happening now. We should have paid more attention back then to NASCAR driver Kurt Busch, who was part of the Stewart-Haas roster. “The Haas Automation brand is, to me, what his passion is, and he sees his ability to create a stronger footprint globally,” Busch said in 2014. “F1 is a footprint to advertise in, and to create your brand’s name in motorsports, you do it with F1. There’s no other ranking higher.”
And that’s what happened. Haas, who builds CNC machines that automate the manufacturing process, already had a strong presence in the U.S., and he was seeking more attention overseas. He got it. Haas Automation banners hung all over F1 racing circuits. CNC machines are bought by businesses, not individuals: He wasn’t advertising Coca-Cola or potato chips, he was advertising to other businesses. And many of those businesses lay outside of America.
So that dream of a truly American F1 team never happened. Haas and his associates selected international drivers, largely from the list of Usual Suspects: That first year that Haas had cars on the grid, the drivers were Romain Grosjean (France) and Esteban Gutiérrez (Mexico). The team finished eighth in points, a solid showing for a rookie effort. The team has never finished higher than fifth, and has never fielded an American driver. But so what? Haas made it into Formula 1, and has lasted for nine seasons so far. Good for Gene Haas: Somehow, he has made the numbers work, and despite occasional complaints from the usually quiet Haas about rising costs, we assume it has been a good deal for Haas Automation.
Will we see American drivers racing for Cadillac? That may be unlikely at first: Any fledgling team needs drivers who can provide reliable feedback, and it doesn’t seem probable that any American driver with F1 experience (Logan Sargeant, we’re looking at you) would be on the short list for the Cadillac team.
Part of the problem with an American driver is that to get a shot at F1, you need to do what Sargeant did: Make a name for yourself in international karting, then go compete where the Europe-based F1 teams can keep an eye on you, in series such as Formula Renault, Formula 4, then Formula 3, then Formula 2. All of which Florida native Sargeant did well in, thus resulting in his shot at F1, with Williams, in 2023. To which, many U.S. Formula 1 fans responded: Logan who? As Sargeant began chasing an F1 ride, he did the proper thing—move to Europe and race there. It worked, but he had very little name recognition in America. We had an American driver, but few cared, because we’d never seen Sargeant race here. He lasted 36 races, and now he’s looking for an IndyCar ride.
Cadillac may well be forced into that corner of ignoring drivers who check both boxes: They’re American, and American race fans know who they are. The most likely source for an American formula driver would be the IndyCar series, where American drivers are a minority. And who on the list might be considered? Alexander Rossi already had his shot at F1, and at age 33, it seems improbable that he’ll go back. Josef Newgarden, maybe? Colton Herta? Conor Daly? Kyle Kirkwood?
All would have solid U.S. name recognition, but would have an uphill climb in F1, just like Michael Andretti himself faced when left IndyCar and signed with McLaren F1 to drive in 1993. He was gone by the end of the season. There’s a reason why American drivers seeking an F1 ride move to Europe to start the journey, not only because of the visibility, but because many of the junior series race on the same circuits as F1. Almost every track an IndyCar driver races on in F1 would be a new one—a distinct disadvantage to an F1 team starting out, looking to benchmark itself against experienced teams, and experienced drivers. Are you getting beat because of your car, or your driver?
So, let’s face it: There’s reason for hope, but it’s no sure thing that we’ll see an American driver in F1 driving for Cadillac, or anybody else, for that matter. Is being an American team enough for Cadillac to win the hearts and minds of U.S. fans? It will be interesting to see what kind of marketing Cadillac does leading up to the team’s debut. There’s a real opportunity here. I hope it isn’t wasted.
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“will we see an American driver” has never been the question. Will we see a successful American driver is the question.
with GM’s entry, and 2 more seats on the grid, i would like to think it’s possible, if maybe only 10% more so. Unfortunately, until we can provide a better ladder system locally, the only American drivers we might see will be a product of the European $ystem.
It is a must these drivers come up in the Euro system. That has been the major disconnect.
They must live in Europe, they must speak the required messages, they must race these track in the ladder system. They must be with the teams and not back here in America after a race.
Michael failed for several reasons. McLaren list their engines. He never raced in Europe and had to learn in practice. He was never with the team. He flew in on the Concord and as soon as he was out if the race he was back on the Concord. He looked back and saw where he made his mistakes.
Just being an Indy car champion means little.
I expect maybe one American driver possible but the first two years they need proven experienced drivers to develop the chassis. So the American may come later. Now is the time to field the American in a ladder series.
Team USA never had the money, Haas has money but never the staff and drivers. Kurt is right.
This deal is different. We have a very experienced team. We have GM money and technology. We have Mario with the knowledge and he knows the right people.
They will start slow but I do expect them to be competitive. Cadillac and GM has learned to partner with solid people and provide them with all the tech they need. Pratt and Miller is a good example. Even the NASCAR teams are more advanced than you think. Childress has been doing the GTP Cadillac engines for years. Their power and durability has never been an issue.
It will be interesting to see who they get for sponsorship. Other series are hurting for sponsors but F1 can bring some major players.
An American team of this level has never competed in F1. The best we ever saw was Fords money paid to Cosworth.
F1 is an order of magnitude more expensive to be competitive in vs. NASCAR, or Indy car. Technical acumen aside, we’ll see if GM really has the desire make the financial commitment — that is, the nearly unlimited investment of dollars — it will take over multiple years to be truly competitive.
You also have to have the right team put together who can all gel with the right mix of technical experience and management acumen…and, most crucially, have the best drivers. In F! that’s all a very tall order. Look at Ferrari’s struggles in recent years as an example of how a blue-blood F1 team with some of the best drivers on the planet, and with nearly unlimited money behind it, has struggled mightily to find consistent winning successes.
Beyond that, I’ve never understand the business case/marketing angle for Cadillac to go racing, let alone in F1. I mean, does Cadillac really think it’ll sell enough more Escalades each Monday following an F1 race to cover their F1 nut? Doubtful, but what do I know?
All that said, it’ll be great to have an American team in the F1 mix, and perhaps they’ll find success.
Well much of what you state is obvious if you have ever watched F1.
Over the years I have seen many teams come and go and for once I see one that is showing promise of trying to do the right things.
To be honest the logic of F1 in general make little sense especially financially.
Cadillacs aim as is GM is to showcase EV tech in the coming cars. I expect once this thing gets going Cadillac will again return to global sales. They finally have two great cars in the CT4 and CT5.
Also Cadillac is well established in China and the Middle East where the Escalades are very popular. We sell a ton of performance parts to these countries for Cadillacs.
Often the struggles of existing teams is a matter of staffing. The team with the best engineers and designers are the leading team. Most drivers are replaceable. Even Hamilton is not winning as much with a lesser car. Only Senna was one who could win in crap cars.
The first two years will be about learning. But they have a good start with the staff on hand already. GM appears willing to foot the bill and Andretti should attract money.
Nothing is ever a given but this so far is the best shot an American Team has had since Dan Gurney.
So what did Michael Andretti do to tick off the powers that be? It seems that the conflicts are generated by clashing egos, proving that European and American businessmen can be equally myopic when it comes to the long-term health of the enterprise. The real racers – the drivers, designers, engineers, craftsmen and crew members are at the mercy of the moneybags. That they continue to provide such a good product despite the political machinations around them is a testament to their professionalism. Bernie Ecclestone ticked off a lot of people as well but occasionally made a good decision. Corporate entities have a harder time with that.
Word is it was the way he lobbied the teams for entry. They felt it was over bearing.
What did Michael do? He was Michael. He’s never been a popular guy withing racing circles, starting back when he was a driver. HyperV6 mentions that others felt he was overbearing – and I’ve witnessed that throughout his entire career, sometimes in spades. I don’t know if it’s because he felt like his last name should just open all doors, or if he really felt that he was superior to everyone around him – but for whatever reason, he’s managed to rub people around him the wrong way for decades.
Can you tell I’m not a fan? 🙄
Are there currently any American drivers who are part of a F-1 development program? Any active in Formula 3 or 2? How many parents would say no to a kid who was given an opportunity to participate in a feeder ‘series’ and get to spend some time abroad under the right circumstances. So, especially if they were a bit older, you might consider it something like taking part in a student exchange program. With F-1 looking to increase its popularity here in the states that doesn’t seem like a bridge too far.
Right now the best one is Colton Herta. He has run the tracks and knows the needed languages.
He also did a very impressive test with McLaren. He has taken the right path but this program is behind and he is aging.
There will be a need for a good established driver with good development skills. They need a driver that can communicate what the car and he needs.
Yes, US a drivers Jak Crawford and Max Esterson are currently on the Euro ladder and achieving a moderate level of success. As previously did Herta, Daly, Rossi, and a handful of others.
It is not only living and learning the European racing circuits and mentality, but also having benefactors willing to invest $15-20M to go from karting to F1 by the time you are the ripe ol age of 22.
We’ll see if we get an American driver someday. I still wonder what this is going to give us in the future product wise.
Knowing how GM operates, it’s hard to believe they’re not in this simply to jump on the bandwagon of escalating team values in order to extract a short-term return.
In that scenario there are a lot of ways for GM to cash in, but I’d be very surprised to see them remain as anything more than a PU supplier – if that – beyond 2031.
I hope I’m wrong, but I’m not laying any money it.
I think this article is a bit misleading.
The FIA approved “Andretti/Cadillac” as a team entry in 2023. In mid-2024 the FOM (Formula One Management), The teams voted against Andretti/Cadillac’s entry.
Why would that be?
Memories of the 66 LeMans maybe? They don’t really like US teams beating up on them.