Former Formula 1 champion Mario Andretti has been hired as a director of the new General Motors team, likely under their Cadillac brand, and will have significant sway over their driver decisions

Mario Andretti tells Motorsport.com about the elements that helped Cadillac secure a provisional place on the F1 grid

Mario Andretti will be serving on the board of the brand new Formula One team that will be fielded by General Motors with its Cadillac brand.

In 2026, a Cadillac-backed team will enter Formula 1 — but not under the Andretti name. Still, Mario Andretti has a role there.

Former Formula 1 world champion Mario Andretti will be a director on the board of the newly approved Cadillac F1 team, which puts a famous American car maker with racing partner Andretti Global on the grid in 2026.

While the Andretti name is no longer attached to the project, 12-time Grand Prix winner Mario was appointed as a director on the board when the proposal was accepted by F1 and FOM.

Former Formula One world champion Mario Andretti has confirmed he will have a role with the new Cadillac team which is set to join the grid in 2026. Monday's announcement of an 11th team when new rules are introduced in two years is another indication of F1's huge push into the United States,

But Mario Andretti will be a director on the board of the prospective F1 team. F1 and the FIA have agreed for Cadillac, backed by General Motors, to become the 11th team on the grid. The new team should enter in 2026. “My first love was Formula 1 and now – 70 years later – the F1 paddock is still my happy place,” Mario Andretti said.

Mario Andretti says Cadillac F1's admission to Formula 1 came in part to his son Michael Andretti stepping down but it was all worth it.