‘We Battled for the Freedom to Experience Stress’: An Interview with Cadillac F1 CEO Dan Towriss

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      If you read any of the numerous profiles on Daniel Towriss, you might assume he’s another billionaire eager to acquire franchises and dive into grand projects. As the founder and/or CEO of several major organizations—including Andretti Global, Cadillac Formula 1 Team, and the insurance company Gainbridge—and a significant stakeholder in the group behind the LA Dodgers, LA Lakers, and Chelsea FC, he could easily come off as arrogant. Someone… disconnected.

      However, the reality is that Dan, as he’s known in the F1, IndyCar, and NASCAR circuits, is an approachable, hands-on individual who values not only leading by example but also empowering those around him to think creatively, take initiative, and succeed. Since Gainbridge first sponsored an Andretti Indy car in 2019, Towriss has quickly backed up his words with action. From securing title sponsorship of the Indy 500 to leading Cadillac’s F1 endeavor, I would argue his significance in contemporary American motorsports is unparalleled.

      I met with Towriss earlier this month to gain insight into the ambitious project that is the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, and to understand how he and his close-knit team—starting with his wife, Cassidy—are making a significant impact in a sport often characterized by fleeting fortunes and egos.

      We delved into his business background and the culture he and team principal Graeme Lowdon aim to nurture among their staff in Fishers, Indiana; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Silverstone, England. One of my favorite moments from our conversation was realizing they’ve achieved a major milestone. While Cadillac hasn’t reached its end goal just yet, they are currently competing against 10 other teams on the F1 stage after a long and challenging journey to get there.

      “Cassidy is quick to remind us that we fought for the right to be stressed, for the right to work this hard. Then you remind yourself, you’re exactly where you want to be.” - Dan Towriss

      Jerry Perez: You're in Miami for the Cadillac team's first race in the U.S., which is a big achievement. What’s it like?

      Dan Towriss: We feel fantastic; every race has been memorable so far, but having our first event on American soil is a significant milestone. This is our fourth race of the year, and we're witnessing considerable improvements within the team—it's a progressive step forward. During the break, the team put in a lot of hard work on upgrades for Miami, and those are starting to show. Watching the team come together right before us, week after week, is remarkable. Everyone on the team has F1 experience, but it takes time to turn that into a cohesive unit, and I can see that happening. I’m very pleased with it.

      I live in Fishers and often walk by the Cadillac F1 Team building, which is still under construction. The pace at which you're moving must feel overwhelming. You're building, hiring, traveling worldwide for races, and continually developing a car. How do you keep everything under control?

      I appreciate you asking that! It is substantial, as it encompasses more than just the team and typical race duties. It involves a real estate project, a workforce that seems to grow by about 10% each month, which means we have to shape the culture and create the future Cadillac Formula 1 Team. Everything is perpetually evolving. You transition from one project that requires everyone's attention to another that demands precision and structure. None of this happens overnight; it takes a tremendous amount of time and effort, but it's coming together and surpassing all our expectations thus far.

      What have been some challenges along the way?

      Ultimately, it often boils down to personnel issues, or perhaps we decide to make changes to the new building, which can lead to slight delays. These are the typical challenges you might expect when constructing something that requires ample resources but is under development for a team that hasn’t operated yet. You might think one way, and then decide you actually prefer another direction, leading to adjustments along the way. These bumps are to be expected, and we’re just progressing step by step.

      I listened to your episode of the Beyond the Grid podcast, and I found the part about your baseball career and shift to business inspiring. Regarding that, I remember Cassidy once sharing a video on social media of you solving algebra problems on your phone while at home, captioned “Our Instagram algorithms are so different.” I loved that insight into your life. How has this background prepared you for your role in IndyCar with Andretti Global and now this significant F1 project?

      It’s a mix of business insight, numerical understanding, and leadership from team sports. It’s about integrating those elements to construct a team. Fostering a culture is vital. You can assemble numerous talented individuals, but that doesn’t automatically create a team or ensure the right culture. Successful, high-performing organizations thrive on