What 2 Drivers Would Mario Andretti Pick To Drive For Cadillac F1 Team
It’s a huge story in the world of racing involving Cadillac F1 joining the sport as the 11th team in the 2026 season. I caught up with my friend Mario Andretti to talk about what it means to be part of this (Director on the teams board), we also get into what it means to him personally and he gave an interesting answer when we talked about his “dream team” of two drivers (from every era).
Mario Andretti Interview about Cadillac F1
Here’s part of the interview (transcript) – the entire conversation can be heard here (or click the player below):
Jim: Mario, how are you?
Mario Andretti: Wonderful, Jim. How are you?
Jim: I am fantastic. I’m so happy for you and everybody with Andretti and with the Cadillac F1 team. You had a night to sleep on it. Does it feel like a dream?
Mario: Oh gosh, I don’t know when I slept better than I did last night.
Jim: I was looking this up. I thought it was interesting—your last F1 race was 1982 in Vegas. You wound up on the podium as well. And here we are after Vegas getting this announcement.
Mario: Yeah, how about that? I mean, again, you know, things are good, things are happening, going in the right direction so that we could not ask for anything more than that. The effort is on full steam ahead now.
Jim: So you’re going to be a director on the team’s board. It’s a non-executive role, but still, you’re going to be part of the team as well with Cadillac F1?
Mario: Well, yeah, basically it’s made official, but that was all along my position with the team, you know. Michael started this, and I was supporting the whole effort 100%. And I said, “If you need me anywhere, I’m there for all of you,” and it remains that way. So everything just fell in place now. And again, we have nothing but work ahead of us to look forward to and, you know, work that has already started, but now it continues with a totally different flavor. Everyone is just so much more motivated—the team in England. You know, there are so many individuals that took a risk to some degree because we had no guarantees. But now, yes, now we have a future to look forward to. And so I think, again, we’re at a good place right now.
Jim: When did you find out?
Mario: I found out officially basically after the meetings on Thursday.
Jim: And you had to carry that around with you for a couple of days?
Mario: I had to carry it around, but I was happy.
Jim: Wow. And what do you think? I’m talking with Mario Andretti, obviously. So, Mario, what do you think that people—your experience with F1, and there are things that I know the cars change and obviously the platforms and everything else—but things that are universal to F1 that folks need to understand about how hard it is?
Mario: Well, of course. I mean, nothing worthwhile is ever easy, but that’s the challenge. So again, I don’t care—at that level, everywhere—it just takes a lot of work, a lot of dedication, love for what you’re doing. And it’s all there; all those elements are there. And then you hope and pray for the results, but you know, you put your best foot forward.
Jim: And obviously, you know, we’re recording this here in Detroit, and we have a Michigan connection to this as well because some of the tech here is in Warren, Michigan. So what we anticipate seeing—you up here as well—and are you going to be able to travel around and visit some of the facilities here in the country as well?
Mario: Well, of course, yeah, of course. I want to be up to speed on everything, and you know, the Cadillac name being part of this is just so huge for Formula One—to have a manufacturer at that level for the first time to be officially in Formula One. This is good stuff. This is worth celebrating.
Jim: All right, so you can have two drivers from any era—not the current era. So we’re not going to play that game where you’ve got to pick two drivers currently in the F1 field. You can have two drivers, excluding yourself. You can have two drivers from any era. Who are the first two drivers on the Cadillac F1 team?
Mario: Well, I’d put Fangio and Max Verstappen in there.
Jim: Nice. Is Ayrton Senna too much of a personality? Would you guys have fun with him?
Mario: Oh, yes, indeed. I mean, there’s so much to choose from, obviously. I just came out of the top of my head. But, you know, yeah, Ayrton Senna. Can you imagine Michael Schumacher?
Jim: Oh my God. But I don’t think people understand Fangio. I really don’t. I mean, it’s maybe it’s a separation thing. I don’t think, Mario, people understand what an amazing driver he was.
Mario: Yeah, indeed. I mean, and he was very intelligent too. You know, he always went—somehow he armed himself with the top team of the moment. And that’s what gave him five championships, the first one to achieve that goal—I mean, that immense goal. And that’s why he remains one of the, you know, one of the very best.
Bottom Line – Cadillac F1 and Mario Andretti are in the sport
It’s exciting news for General Motors and the Cadillac brand (I can’t help but wonder if this what Bob Lutz dreamt about with Pontiac back in the day). I’ve been pretty vocal about F1’s opposition to the Andretti name joining the sport (see below) – but if a name change and Michael stepping back gets it done, then so be it. Mario will inspire, motivate and drive this team to win from day one…don’t EVER bet against him.
