Mario Andretti declares “I don’t want a job” after being appointed by a new F1 team | F1

Mario Andretti’s “non-executive role” at the new Cadillac F1 team will see him not involved in the day-to-day running of the organization because the 1978 world champion “doesn’t want the job.”

The 84-year-old’s frustration boiled over when Andretti was denied entry at the start of the season, but progress was made after son and co-founder Michael Andretti withdrew from the project. Now the General Motors team under the Cadillac brand has been provisionally adopted for 2026

Although Andretti’s name is no longer associated with the project, 12-time Grand Prix winner Mario was appointed board director when the proposal was accepted by F1 and FOM.

Reacting to the news on social media platform X, Andretti said: “I feel very lucky to have been able to stay here for so long and do what I love. And knowing that the Cadillac F1 team wanted me around…

“I will help where I can, in a non-executive role within the team, not getting involved in the day-to-day operations (because I don’t want a job), but providing advice, inspiration and friendship wherever I can. I’m more than happy.”

Discussing his latest role, he added: “My first love was Formula 1 and now – 70 years later – the F1 paddock is still my happy place. I am absolutely delighted with Cadillac, Formula 1, Mark Walter and Dan Towriss. I’m still committed at this point in my life – I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.

Cadillac’s entry is an exciting moment for the sport – 2026 will be the first year that there will be 11 teams on the F1 grid since Caterham withdrew from the series at the end of the 2014 campaign.

In a statement released by F1, General Motors CEO Mark Reuss said: “As the pinnacle of motorsports, F1 demands pushing the boundaries of innovation and excellence.

“It is an honor for General Motors and Cadillac to join the world’s premier racing series, and we are committed to competing with passion and integrity to elevate the sport for racing fans around the world. This is a global stage for us to demonstrate GM’s engineering expertise and technology leadership at a completely new level.”

Cadillac’s entry also offers a significant opportunity for two F1 hopefuls in a crowded driver market. Given his ties to GM and Andretti and his historic success in IndyCar, Colton Herta is a unique option, while veterans Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez they saw the design as a racing life raft.