Andretti-Cadillac’s bid to join the Formula 1 grid is certainly gaining significant momentum, after FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem expressed his support for the proposal on social media.
It is looking more likely than not that Andretti will be on the grid from presumably 2026, with everything starting to fall into place.
Money has never been an issue for the prospective American side, with the previous issue having been getting the support of the governing body.
Following Ben Sulayem’s backing, getting the support of the FIA doesn’t seem to be an issue anymore, meaning Andretti need to start making further inroads on their future team.
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To get Formula 1 itself and the current teams onboard, Andretti need to demonstrate why they truly want to join the pinnacle of motorsport and that they are in it for the long run.
They need to demonstrate the start of a real project, something that starts by naming a technical director.
This is likely the next step in Andretti’s journey to Formula 1, with appointing a technical director being vital to starting life in F1 successfully.
Former McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl would’ve been the perfect technical director for the Americans; however, Sauber have poached him to prepare for Audi’s merge with the side in 2026.
With that in mind, The Race’s Gary Anderson has suggested that former Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto would be the perfect technical director for Andretti, and actually, he’s right.
Who better to oversee a new project than someone who has 28 years of experience working at the highest level and is deemed as one of the best technical directors around?
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Whilst Binotto’s time as Ferrari’s team principal was questionable, he will have a fire in his stomach to prove the Italians wrong, and where better to do that than at a team that no current outfit wants to see on the grid!
His experience, more importantly, is invaluable, with the Italian knowing exactly what is needed to create a winning machine, having been part of the Maranello-based outfit since 1995.
His attention to detail and calmness are two further attributes that would suit a new team, given that anything could happen.