Andretti acknowledges that his son Michael was an "obstacle" for Cadillac's F1 plans.

      Mario Andretti acknowledges that his son Michael might have posed an "obstacle" to the Cadillac Formula 1 project's progress. The initial plan, approved by the FIA, faced resistance from F1 owner Liberty Media, with CEO Greg Maffei reportedly telling Mario that the team's approval would be unlikely as long as Michael remained involved. Subsequently, the plan was adjusted, with former McLaren driver Michael stepping back and the ‘Andretti’ name being dropped entirely. The ‘Cadillac F1’ team is now set to make its debut in 2026.

      "The aim was to have an American team on the starting grid, and we accomplished that," said F1 legend Mario Andretti, who is serving as an advisor, in an interview with Auto Motor und Sport. "Michael is content as well, although he has decided to step away from the project," added the 1978 world champion. "He simply stated, 'If I am the obstacle, then I will clear the path.'"

      It is believed that Liberty, with strong backing from the existing ten teams on the ‘Andretti’ matter, was particularly displeased with Michael's aggressive and outspoken approach. "In hindsight, we could have certainly handled some things better," Mario reflects. "However, I prefer to look forward rather than back. Ultimately, what matters is whether we achieve our goal."

      Mario, 84, mentions that he is unconcerned about his renowned surname no longer being linked with the Cadillac team. "It's about the mission, regardless of the name it bears," he emphasized. "What’s important is that it achieves success. The initiative wouldn’t have been launched without us, and it wouldn’t have reached General Motors without our involvement. It would have been a major error to dismiss us, as that would not have been well received in America. This isn't a temporary endeavor, but a long-term commitment."

      With Cadillac's entry for 2026 now confirmed, Mario notes a shift in the team's atmosphere as they diligently develop their 2026 car, which will be powered by a customer Ferrari engine. “Now the engineers understand they are working on something that will actually be ready in 2026," he said. "Previously, there were no guarantees, only the hope that things would work out positively."

      He believes that Cadillac’s debut coinciding with the launch of entirely new and radical car and engine regulations in 2026 is advantageous for the team. "The new regulations require everyone to begin anew, which will benefit us," Andretti stated. "It would have been more challenging to enter when the rules had already been established for three to four years. Beginning in 2026 offers us a better opportunity to establish a solid foundation. We also gained an advantage because we were able to prepare extensively without being restricted by the wind tunnel and budget cap regulations."