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Behind the Scenes: The Political Powerplay that Transformed Cadillac’s F1 Bid and Led to Andretti’s Departure

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
March 19, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Cadillac Enters Formula 1: A New Chapter in American Motorsport History

Dan Towriss, the CEO at the helm of TWG Motorsports, the company overseeing Cadillac’s foray into Formula 1, recently unveiled the contentious nature of their negotiations with Liberty Media. This sheds light on the turbulent path that led to Michael Andretti’s withdrawal from the leadership of the team.

In 2023, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) called for applications from prospective racing teams interested in partaking in Formula 1, with a view to assess their long-term sustainability. Among the four submissions received, the one that stood out was by Andretti Global, steered by Michael Andretti, son of the 1978 Formula 1 World Champion, Mario Andretti. His team was vocal about their F1 bid, backed by Cadillac, a division of the renowned American auto company General Motors, along with Andretti co-owner, Dan Towriss.

The FIA greenlit the application which was then handed over to Liberty Media and Formula One Management – the owners of Formula 1 and the administrators of the sport’s commercial rights – for further analysis. However, the FOM refused to accept Andretti, indicating that the Andretti family name would not add substantial value to the sport. Despite the setback, Cadillac, expressing interest in becoming an engine supplier, was given a chance to stay in the running.

The U.S Congress was brought into the picture by the Andretti family, leading to an antitrust investigation into Formula 1. In an incident at a party preceding the 2024 Miami Grand Prix, Greg Maffei, the chief of Liberty Media, was reported to have told Mario Andretti, “Mario, I want to tell you that I will do everything in my power to see that Michael [Andretti] never enters Formula 1.”

In a surprising move, Michael Andretti relinquished control of his team in October 2024, which was then taken over by Towriss. Subsequently, in November, Cadillac F1 was provisionally admitted to F1 for the 2026 season.

Towriss has now spoken up about the “very political” aspect of their ongoing discussions with Formula 1, indicating that it may have influenced the final approval of Cadillac’s F1 bid. During a conversation with select media at IndyCar’s season opener, the Grand Prix of St. Pete, Towriss disclosed that Michael Andretti had expressed a desire to step down around late August and early September.

Towriss, who stepped up to take on a larger role as the team shifted focus from Andretti to Cadillac, also shed light on the challenges of persuading F1 to recognize the value of the team. He admitted the pressure was intense, and there were aspects of the bid that Liberty Media failed to comprehend, which complicated the process.

Before the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season, the FIA and FOM confirmed Cadillac F1’s acceptance to the 2026 grid. The American manufacturer had shown that it deserved a spot. Despite the outright rejection of Michael Andretti, he assured media at St. Pete that he was content and enjoying life more than before.

Cadillac will debut in Formula 1 as a Ferrari customer team in 2026, with plans to develop its proprietary power units by the end of the decade.

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