Although it has not received approval to enter the Formula 1 grid in the near future, in reality the American team is continuing to push on multiple fronts to convince Liberty Media and strengthen its structures for numerous other categories in which it is already involved.
Last March, in fact, Andretti had confirmed his commitment to building a new maxi-structure in Indiana dedicated to the construction and design of Formula 1 single-seaters and the preparation of those of IndyCar and IMSA cars, other series where he has been able to find satisfaction .
However, it is important for Andretti to also have a European hub and, for this reason, today at Silverstone it cut the ribbons on its new headquarters, which was inaugurated by Michael and Mario Andretti, with the team hoping to have laid further foundations towards a possible entry into Formula 1.
Andretti headquarters in Silverstone
Photo by: Andretti
The team, in fact, had obtained approval from the FIA last October following a rigorous selection process by the governing body. However, Andretti failed to pass the second phase of the process, perhaps the most complicated one, when Formula 1 decided to reject its request at the end of last January, citing numerous reasons why the entry of the American team would not represent a plus for the series.
Despite the refusal, Andretti has never hidden its intention to continue pushing towards an entry for 2026, if an agreement is reached with F1, which clearly however seems very difficult. The team is in fact still carrying out its plans to upgrade the structures: the first phase of preparation of the model seen in the wind tunnel was created with temporary tools, waiting to create new premises that could also accommodate the technicians recruited in recent weeks.
Until now the design team had been working in a temporary office on the Silverstone Park estate, opposite the British GP venue. Now the team has begun the move to the new 40,000 square meter structure located nearby: the aerodynamicists are already at work, while the engineers linked to the mechanical department will arrive later.
The design department and the team will therefore be based in Silverstone, while the production and construction of the cars will take place in the United States at the new factory in Fishers, near Indianapolis. Additionally, some research and development and design activities will also be conducted at General Motors in Charlotte.
Andretti headquarters in Silverstone
Photo by: Andretti
If registration for 2026 is ultimately granted, the plan remains to use the Renault engine for the first two seasons under the new regulations, before switching to a Cadillac engine in 2028, one of the points that did not convince F1 . In fact, Liberty Media has opened up to a possible entry only from 2028, when it will have a Power Unit linked to the GM brand exclusively.
“F1 is obviously the pinnacle of motor racing in the world,” Michael Andretti said during Wednesday's ceremony.
“We participate in all types of races, but F1 is the best. That's why I think it would be a huge thing for our brand. It would complete our goal, which is to participate in every major sporting event in the world. It's a great goal, which we have set ourselves for a few years now. And I believe that we are right there, we will get there. We strongly feel that we will get there”.
“And I think we're also building a fantastic team, I think this is something unique to F1, building a real F1 team from scratch with great brains. And I think this is something that could take a lot of people by surprise, when we finally we will be on the starting grid.”
Dan Towriss, partner at Andretti Global, highlighted the launch of operations within the new base in the United Kingdom as a key moment in the team's history.
Michael Andretti, Mario Andretti, Dan Towriss, Andretti Global
Photo by: Andretti
“I would say that an important step today is the opening of our facility in Silverstone. It is also continuing to acquire the necessary talent, to have new technicians, the financial and technical resources in order to have a competitive team. We are therefore putting the resources together necessary”.
“Michael, Mario and I have some things to do behind the scenes, but we'll take care of business. And while that's happening, let's continue to build the team.”
Regarding the collaboration with Cadillac, Towriss said: “The collaboration with General Motors is fantastic, and to feel how everyone works together, across different time zones, is something incredible. The technology allows you to do things in real time , it's so exciting. And so we continue to capitalize on this opportunity.”
“We just want to continue to build something great. This today is an important step and we will continue to work. We have a headquarters under construction in Fishers as well, just to make sure we have a world-class facility for world-class people to build a team world class.”
Andretti headquarters in Silverstone
Photo by: Andretti
Michael Andretti stressed that the possibility of starting from scratch is a fundamental advantage for the new project, which is why it is difficult to think that he would want to buy another team, unless it is truly a last resort. “I think one great thing is that we are building from scratch. We are building a team with new ideas. Some of the old teams are already set up and have their own ideas and their own ways of functioning.”
“Instead, we can work on this project exactly the way we want, and do it in a modern way. And I believe that this could be a huge advantage”, explained Andretti, before underlining the strongly American identity of this company, in a slightly different way from what happens for Haas, which instead has two logistics centers in Maranello and in the United Kingdom. United for the creation of the car, not to mention the support of the various European partners.
“Then having GM as a partner, who wants to show its technology to the whole world, I believe that the moment we can get on the track, we will create something unique. We're trying to do something that's never been done, which is to build a team that will be all-American in the end, with the car built in the United States, with an American engine, American owners and ultimately American drivers. It's something that's never been done before.”
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