Andretti-Cadillac will run at least one American driver if its prospective Formula 1 team is granted an entry, according to Michael Andretti.
Andretti has been striving to bring his eponymous outfit to Formula 1 and announced on Thursday that his operation had partnered with General Motors through its luxury brand Cadillac.
If an entry is granted by Formula 1 and the FIA it is unlikely that it would be before the 2026 season.
Andretti’s results during his brief Formula 1 career with McLaren in 1993 remain the last time an American driver scored championship points.
Scott Speed and Alexander Rossi both had short-lived tenures with backmarker teams while Williams will hand a debut this year to Logan Sargeant.
Speaking about a possible driver, Andretti said: “We definitely have a plan to have an American driver and I think you know who is leading the pack on that one.
“With Colton [Herta], we do have him under contract in IndyCar, but we definitely want to make this at least an all-American effort to make sure we have an American driver in the seat.”
Herta was lined up by Andretti during its ultimately unsuccessful attempt to acquire Sauber’s Formula 1 outfit.
Herta, who carried out private test running with McLaren, was headhunted by AlphaTauri for 2023 but the team was thwarted by his ineligibility for a Super Licence.
He duly signed a long-term agreement with Andretti through 2027.
Andretti’s collaboration with GM marks the latest phase of its attempts to reach Formula 1, following its Sauber negotiations, and subsequent decision to go its own way in early 2022.
“One of the things, to have an American manufacturer behind an American team with an American driver I think is going to be the biggest story of the year,” said Andretti.
“It just happened naturally. We’re still going about it, still working to get the people together, to build a team.
“The great thing is GM has great resources and people already so that’ll help us get up and running even quicker, so we’re in a really good position right now.”
