Cadillac “F1 participation plan with Andretti is a very good proposal”[F1-Gate.com]

Cadillac has not been deterred by the lukewarm reaction to its F1 entry plans as Andretti Cadillac and says it remains “very excited” about the possibility of entering F1.

Andretti Global last week announced a new partnership with Cadillac parent company General Motors, in response to the FIA ​​president’s desire to consider expanding the F1 grid. It has an eye on joining the F1 grid in the next few years.

The partnership sees General Motors enter Formula 1 through the Cadillac brand, forming Andretti-Cadillac.

However, much of the reaction within F1 has been rather dull. F1 issued a statement claiming that discussions with other less visible parties on the F1 grid are also underway, and that not only the FIA, but both existing teams and F1 have approved the new entry. Reminded me of what I need to do.

Gadillac global vice president Laurie Harvey declined to respond directly to an article she read online, but said she was confident Andretti and Cadillac had made a “very good proposal.” .

“I would not have announced my intention to submit an expression of interest if I had not considered it a proposal that met the requirements and gave us the ability to succeed,” Laurie Harvey said.

“From that perspective, there is still a long way to go in this process. Expressions of interest and details have yet to come out exactly, so we need to do that as a first step.”

“We need to submit an expression of interest and see how the process unfolds.”

The FIA ​​has yet to formally begin the process of expanding the grid and will consider expressions of interest before going through a rigorous due diligence process.

FIA president Mohamed bin Sulayem has said he was surprised by the “negative reaction” to Andretti and Cadillac’s plans, insisting F1 must embrace the interest in wanting to be on the field.

Many within F1 are concerned about the extent to which General Motors will actually be involved through Cadillac, given that it plans to work with existing F1 power unit manufacturers as part of the collaboration.

There are concerns that Andretti’s mere acquisition of an engine from Renault and rebadging it as a Cadillac is not a true automaker commitment.

Laurie Harvey said he “doesn’t want to speculate about some of the articles written” but that Cadillac remains “very excited” internally.

“From an Andretti Organization standpoint, we know they’re very excited,” Laurie Harvey said.

“We will do our best to express our interest so that we can showcase what we believe we can bring to F1.”

Laurie Harvey added that Cadillac’s entry into F1 would be a “huge commitment”.

“The partnership with Andretti we discussed last week gives us the ability to perform,” said Laurie Harvey.

“We believe we are blending skill sets across the organization to put together a package that will ensure our competitive edge.”

Category: F1 / Andretti