In a startling revelation that has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 paddock, racing icon Mario Andretti has disclosed that General Motors’ newly-announced Cadillac F1 team is actively pursuing a power unit partnership with none other than the legendary Ferrari squad for their highly-anticipated 2026 debut.
The bombshell news comes hot on the heels of GM’s official confirmation of their entry into the elite world of Formula 1 racing under the iconic Cadillac brand. While many assumed the American automotive giant would develop their own power units in-house, Andretti’s comments suggest a radically different approach – one that could potentially reshape the competitive landscape of F1 in the years to come.
A Surprising Alliance in the Making
Speaking candidly to NBC News, the 84-year-old Andretti – who has been appointed to the GM/Cadillac F1 team’s board of directors – pulled back the curtain on the squad’s ambitious plans. “That’s what we’re talking about,” he revealed when questioned about the possibility of a Ferrari power unit deal. “That’s not definite yet, but that’s the objective. And that’s the preference.”
The mere idea of a GM/Cadillac-Ferrari alliance is enough to make even the most seasoned F1 pundits do a double-take. After all, Ferrari is not only GM’s long-time rival in the road car market but also one of Formula 1’s most iconic and successful constructors. For the two giants of the automotive world to join forces – even in a customer-supplier capacity – would be a truly astonishing development.
Andretti’s Ferrari Connection
Of course, Mario Andretti is no stranger to the inner workings of Maranello. The Italian-born American legend spent two seasons racing for Ferrari in the early 1970s, even claiming a memorable victory at the 1971 South African Grand Prix behind the wheel of the fearsome Ferrari 312B.
It’s this personal history that Andretti believes could prove pivotal in swinging a deal. “My history with Ferrari, and my relationship with Mr. Ferrari — all of it plays, plays tremendously,” he confessed. “There’s so many factors here that make a lot of sense. It will be best of all worlds.”
From our standpoint, I think the play at the beginning would be to have one experienced driver — nationality doesn’t matter — and then a young American talent. These are the objectives at the moment.
– Mario Andretti on GM/Cadillac’s potential driver lineup
GM’s Long Road to F1
The news of GM’s interest in a Ferrari tie-up is all the more intriguing given the circuitous route the Detroit automaker has taken to secure its place on the Formula 1 grid.
Andretti’s son Michael had previously spearheaded a bid to enter an Andretti Global team into F1, but the proposal ultimately failed to gain traction with the sport’s powerbrokers. It was only after GM stepped in with their own entry under the Cadillac banner that the project was given the green light by the FIA, F1’s governing body.
Now, with Mario Andretti’s fingerprints all over the venture, GM/Cadillac appears to be thinking outside the box in their quest to make a splash in Formula 1. A partnership with Ferrari – while far from a done deal – would certainly fit that bill, delivering a jolt of star power and technical know-how that could rapidly accelerate the team’s competitiveness.
The Path Forward
For now, the Formula 1 world waits with bated breath to see if the GM/Cadillac-Ferrari partnership comes to fruition. Should the deal materialize, it would represent a seismic shift in the landscape of the sport, potentially setting the stage for a new era of American-Italian collaboration at the pinnacle of motorsport.
Of course, many hurdles remain to be cleared before any such alliance could take to the track. Technical partnerships in Formula 1 are notoriously complex, with intellectual property concerns and competitive considerations often proving tricky to navigate.
Nevertheless, the tantalizing prospect of a GM/Cadillac car powered by a prancing horse engine is sure to keep the rumor mill churning at a fever pitch in the months to come. As the pieces of this fascinating puzzle continue to fall into place, one thing is certain – the 2026 Formula 1 season just got a whole lot more interesting.
