Andretti confirms Ferrari talks over Cadillac F1 deal

Mario Andretti has confirmed that the General Motors-Cadillac F1 Team is seeking a deal with Ferrari for a supply of power units from 2026.

It was announced on Monday 25th November after being exclusively revealed by RacingNews365 that F1 had agreed a deal with GM for an 11th team to join the F1 grid - after the Andretti-fronted entry had originally been rejected.

Michael Andretti has since taken a backward step from the team, with Dan Towriss in charge, after F1 indicated it would reconsider if GM entered as a power unit manufacturer from 2028. 

The new team, set to be be badged as Cadillac was set to run Renault power units from 2026 until the GM option was available, but after its withdrawal, that is no longer an option. 

It means the new team will be forced to look elsewhere, with Ferrari adjudged to be the best option as it will have a customer supply vacant after Stake becomes Audi. 

1978 world champion Andretti, who is serving as an advisor to the project, has confirmed that a Ferrari deal is the favoured option for the nascent project.

"That’s what we’re talking about. That’s not definite yet, but that’s the objective. And that’s the preference," Andretti told NBC News when asked if a Ferrari customer supply was the target.

"My history with Ferrari, and my relationship with Mr. Ferrari — all of it plays, plays tremendously.

"There’s so many factors here that make a lot of sense. It will be best of all worlds."

When asked if the project was considered any other supplier, Andretti said "no" and that a Ferrari link-up is "the objective."

If a Ferrari deal cannot be agreed, there is a mechanism within the F1 regulations that means the power unit supplier that has the fewest number of customers must agree a deal to supply a team, meaning Cadillac will have an engine.

This does not apply to new entrants, such as Audi which would only supply Stake, meaning Honda would be the second-best option.