{"id":32168,"date":"2024-02-05T15:52:41","date_gmt":"2024-02-05T19:52:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=32168"},"modified":"2024-02-05T15:52:41","modified_gmt":"2024-02-05T19:52:41","slug":"payne-why-formula-one-stiff-armed-andretti-cadillac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2024\/02\/payne-why-formula-one-stiff-armed-andretti-cadillac","title":{"rendered":"Payne: Why Formula One stiff-armed Andretti Cadillac"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Ford v General Motors will have to wait.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">In a stinging rebuke, Formula One has dismissed the Andretti Cadillac entry for the 2025-27 seasons, citing the team\u2019s lack of experience and brand value to the sport. F1, however, appeared more encouraging about an Andretti Cadillac entry for 2028 if General Motors Co. maintains its commitment to develop a hybrid powertrain required for competition in four years. Crosstown rival Ford Motor Co. has partnered with Formula One\u2019s reigning superpower, Red Bull, on a hybrid power unit for 2028.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><div align=\"left\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/presto\/2022\/10\/23\/PDTN\/6b15c6d3-9e02-4690-a349-958ee8a39d84-AP22296725314137.jpg?width=660&amp;height=441&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"Andretti Cadillac will compete against racing F1 behemoths like Red Bull-Honda, Mercedes, and Ferrari. Red Bull driver and 2022 champion Max Verstappen, of the Netherlands, competes during the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of the Americas, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, in Austin, Texas.\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><em>Andretti Cadillac will compete against racing F1 behemoths like Red Bull-Honda, Mercedes, and Ferrari. Red Bull driver and 2022 champion Max Verstappen, of the Netherlands, competes during the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of the Americas, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, in Austin, Texas. Eric Gay, AP<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"Andretti Cadillac will compete against racing F1 behemoths like Red Bull-Honda, Mercedes, and Ferrari. Red Bull driver and 2022 champion Max Verstappen, of the Netherlands, competes during the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of the Americas, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, in Austin, Texas.\" data-c-credit=\"Eric Gay, AP\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The decision came a year after Andretti Cadillac applied for entry into the world\u2019s fastest, most-watched form of motorsport \u2014 and three months after GM registered with F1 to develop a hybrid \u201cpower unit\u201d (F1 speak for powertrain) for the \u201828 season. Despite the endorsement in October from the FIA, Formula One\u2019s rules-and-governing body, Formula One Management\u2019s approval (the commercial entity made up of the sport\u2019s 10 teams) was also required \u2014 and it continued the foot-dragging that had characterized previous months.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The prestigious body heaped scorn on the Andretti Cadillac effort, even as its players have proved themselves two of the premier motorsports competitors on the planet. GM won the IndyCar Manufacturer\u2019s Cup and IMSA Weathertech sportscar championships in 2023 while the Andretti family name sits atop the Mt. Olympus of motorsports. Mario Andretti and his son, Michael, are two of the most decorated racers in motorsport while Michael has also built Andretti Autosport into a global powerhouse.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Nevertheless, FOM called Andretti Cadillac \u201ca novice entrant\u201d that gave \u201cus reason to question their understanding of the scope of the challenge involved.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cFormula One, as the pinnacle of world motorsport, represents a unique technical challenge to constructors of a nature that (Andretti Cadillac) has not faced in any other formula or discipline in which it has previously competed (and would not) be a competitive participant,\u201d FOM said in a lengthy statement. \u201cWhile the Andretti name carries some recognition for F1 fans, our research indicates that F1 would bring value to the Andretti brand rather than the other way around.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Mario Andretti, who won a Formula One title and four IndyCar championships over his career, expressed his disappointment on X: \u201cI&#8217;m devastated.\u00a0 I won&#8217;t say anything else because I can&#8217;t find any other words besides devastated.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside id=\"gnt_atomsnc\" class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_anc\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"loadAnc\" aria-label=\"Newsletter signup form\">\n<div class=\"label\" hidden=\"\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"message\">\n<div class=\"title\">Get the\u00a0<span class=\"highlight\">Michigan Politics<\/span>\u00a0newsletter in your inbox.<\/div>\n<p class=\"description\">Washington and Lansing, red and blue, we&#8217;ve got your government covered.<\/p>\n<div class=\"frequency\">Delivery: Daily<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"input-container populated\">\n<p><input autocomplete=\"off\" name=\"email\" required=\"\" type=\"email\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"clickable\"><\/div>\n<p><label>Your Email<\/label><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bar\">\n<div class=\"highlight\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"progress-primary\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"progress-secondary\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">In a statement, GM pushed back hard on F1\u2019s assessment, saying it \u00a0\u201cstrongly disagreed with its content.\u201d While F1 teams often seemed to focus their displeasure on the Andretti half of the Andretti Cadillac team, the FOM appeared to look more favorably on the idea of a manufacturer of GM\u2019s might joining the grid in 2028 with an all-new hybrid powertrain.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">F1 and GM ambitions dovetail over the next decade as both are committed to going all-electric.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Cadillac has said it is only interested in entering F1 if partnered with Andretti. Last November, GM registered with F1 to invest in a new, billion-dollar hybrid program that would compete with F1 superpowers Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari as part of its global push to be an electric carmaker (Alpine, Audi and Honda are also registered to build hybrids for 2028).<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Ford has already begun development with Red Bull in England on their power unit for 2028, though Ford\u2019s commitment is only as a battery supplier.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">F1&#8217;s decision risks alienating U.S. fans who flocked to the sport in recent years, growing three Grand Prix in Miami, Las Vegas and Austin, Texas. Andretti is not only legend here, but Andretti Autosport&#8217;s stable of drivers includes American talent like Colton Herta. While motorsports insiders thought the Andretti Cadillac team would boost F1\u2019s profile in the U.S., they also speculated F1 teams did not want to add an 11<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0team because it would dilute revenue sharing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">&#8220;I think it&#8217;s quite a bad look for Formula One to be gatekeeping itself as a closed shop,\u201d said Charles Bradley, editor of Motorsport,com, a leading motorsports publication. \u201cIf you look back at the history of the sport, there&#8217;s been plenty of lesser-credentialed teams who were welcome to compete. It leaves you in little doubt that the business is now greater than the sport; you could say it&#8217;s a victory for greed over speed.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Though Formula One has never been more lucrative and popular \u2014 reaching a staggering 450 million TV viewers \u2014 the capital expenditures are enormous to field a competitive team, and the 2028 power unit will bringing even greater costs.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><div align=\"left\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/11\/19\/PDTN\/71647770007-ap-23323257984947.jpg?width=660&amp;height=440&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, of the Netherlands, drives past the Sphere during the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix auto race, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Las Vegas.\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, of the Netherlands, drives past the Sphere during the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix auto race, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Las Vegas.\" data-c-credit=\"Nick Didlick, AP\">\n<p><em>Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, of the Netherlands, drives past the Sphere during the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix auto race, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Las Vegas. Nick Didlick, AP<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The resistance to the Andretti Cadillac team came despite F1\u2019s acceptance of the U.S.-based Haas team, with fewer resources and experience in motorsport, in 2016. Haas has used Ferrari as its engine supplier and has had mediocre results to date, finishing at the bottom of the manufacturer\u2019s championship last year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Andretti had also intended to use a third-party engine maker, Renault, for the 2025-27 seasons as a bridge to the 2028 Cadillac hybrid unit \u2014 and in in order to gain racing experience.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cI was shocked by the length of the F1 statement; it felt like they were trying very hard to find reasons not to let Andretti Cadillac join the club,\u201d said Bradley. \u201cEven the comment about \u2018our research indicates that F1 would bring value to the Andretti brand rather than the other way around\u2019 \u2014 it makes you wonder exactly who they asked.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">While the FOM statement opens the door to an Andretti Cadillac team in 2028, it will test GM\u2019s commitment to F1 given the costs it is already incurring to electrify its business. Market conditions have forced the company to do a U-turn on hybrid powertrains at a time when the General had committed to only gas and EV powertrains.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Andretti Autosport competes in multiple race series including IndyCar, IMSA (with Acura), Formula E, Extreme E (electric off-racing) and Australian Supercar.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">&#8220;It would be a lot harder for F1 to say no to a team with the might of GM actually building an engine in 2028. In fact, you could read this rejection as leverage to forcing its hand, to compel it to join the roster of power unit manufacturers,\u201d concluded Bradley. \u201cWhether Andretti&#8217;s plans can survive for that long is a question. What if another race team like McLaren, Haas or Williams offers to partner up in the meantime? To steal a GM engine deal could be huge.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or @HenryEPayne<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ford v General Motors will have to wait. In a stinging rebuke, Formula One has dismissed the Andretti Cadillac entry for the 2025-27 seasons, citing the team\u2019s lack of experience and brand value to the sport. F1, however, appeared more encouraging about an Andretti Cadillac entry for 2028 if General Motors Co. maintains its commitment [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32168"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32168"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32168\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32169,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32168\/revisions\/32169"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32168"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32168"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32168"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}