Cadillac is seeking to do a deal with Ferrari to use its power units when it arrives in Formula 1 in 2026.
The team is also considering hiring American IndyCar star Colton Herta as one of its drivers.
Formula One Management announced yesterday it has reached an agreement in principle with the FIA and the team for it to join the F1 grid after next season.
F1 will introduce new chassis and power unit regulations in 2026. Ferrari currently supplies its own team plus two others, but its relationship with Sauber will end after 2025, when Audi takes over the team.
While Cadillac hopes to take over their power unit supply for the short term it intends to have its own power unit ready for the 2028 season. “That’s the target, and it’s [going to] happen,” said Mario Andretti, the 1978 world champion who is serving as a consultant to the operation.
An initial deal to use Ferrari power units is “what we’re talking about,” Andretti told NBC. “That’s not definite yet, but that’s the objective. And that’s the preference.”
Herta, who finished second in the IndyCar series for Andretti this year, is a candidate to drive for the team in 2026. “He’s definitely one that’s considered,” said Andretti. “I think you have to keep those options open, since it’s going to be a whole next season where we’re not going to be players.”
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Cadillac took over the application to join F1 which Andretti made last year. Although the FIA approved their bid, FOM blocked it in January. Andretti, who previously said members of F1’s commercial rights holder Liberty Media opposed allowing his son Michael’s team into the series, said it was “hard to put your finger on” why they had dropped their opposition.
“I could go back and bring up events and so forth, but some of it was not very pleasant and I don’t really want to talk about any of that. All of that is behind us.
“We just look forward now. It’s happened, and it’s happened properly. Everyone is happy, including my son, Michael. That’s the most important part. No one is diminished or suffered.”
Andretti said his role within Cadillac’s F1 operation will be similar to that held by his former rival Niki Lauda at Mercedes until his death in 2019. “Obviously, they tried to tap off of my experience and what I see — selection of driver talents and even technical talents.
“The sport is my family. I continuously have been…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at RaceFans…