4x IndyCar title winner Mario Andretti celebrates F1's approval of General Motors as the eleventh team on the grid

F1 has finally approved an 11th team for 2026 in the General Motors-backed Cadillac F1 team. Four-time IndyCar champion Mario Andretti has expressed his support on social media for this move.

Earlier this year, the Formula One Group (FOM) had rejected GM-backed Andretti Global's bid to join F1 in 2026, citing concerns over competitiveness and value addition. The team's entry was postponed to 2028 when GM would produce its own engine.

However, after Dan Towriss became a majority owner of Andretti Global and Mario's son, Michael Andretti's influence in the company was reduced, GM's talks of a 2026 entry resumed. Earlier this week, F1 confirmed GM's entry and Mario Andretti joined the team in an advisory role.

Today, the 84-year-old legend reshared an Instagram post via @caranddriver about F1 green-lighting GM's bid.

Andretti, who won the F1 championship in 1978, also spoke to Sky Sports, sharing the sweetness of emotion he feels returning to the pinnacle of motorsport decades later:

"My first love was Formula 1 and now - 70 years later - the F1 paddock is still my happy place," the American said.

"I'm absolutely thrilled with Cadillac, Formula 1, Mark Walter, and Dan Towriss. To still be involved at this stage of my life - I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming," he added.

Andretti also confirmed that he wouldn't oversee the day-to-day operations of the team. Instead, he would limit himself to a "non-executive" role.

GM's 2026 entry plans don't involve building a proprietary engine from the get-go. The team will enter as an engine supplier at a later stage.

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Mario Andretti eyes Ferrari engine for Cadillac F1 cars

Mario Andretti at the 107TH Running of the Indianapolis 500 - Source: Getty

On the current F1 grid, there are only four engine suppliers - Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda-Red Bull, and Renault. Come 2026, Audi will enter as another engine supplier while Renault will back out.

During his time racing in F1, Mario Andretti drove for Lotus and Ferrari. Naturally, his history with the iconic Italian manufacturer is sweet. In an interview with NBC News, he confirmed rumors about Cadillac pursuing an engine deal with Ferrari.

"That’s what we’re talking about. That’s not definite yet, but that’s the objective. And that’s the preference," he said.

In 2026, a fresh wave of regulations will follow, where Ferrari could gain the upper hand in the championship, considering its expertise and history. When questioned about this possibility, Andretti added:

"Absolutely. Even my history with Ferrari, and my relationship with Mr. Ferrari — all of it plays, plays tremendously. There’s so many factors here that make a lot of sense. It will be best of all worlds."

If Ferrari agrees to this engine deal, Cadillac would become its third customer team, considering Audi's takeover of Sauber.