Though refusing to identify it, General Motors president Mark Reuss claims that the Andretti-Cadillac F1 project already has an agreement with an engine supplier.

Speaking in the wake of Thursday's official announcement that Andretti-Cadillac is aiming to enter the sport, with at least one American driver, Reuss confirmed that the project already has an engine partner.

"We have a signed agreement with a power unit supplier, to begin with," he responded when asked if the team had registered its engine supplier with the FIA. "Then, as we move forward, we bring a lot of our expertise to create things for the future as well."

While Andretti, who had previously sought to buy Sauber, has talked of a deal with Renault, many have pointed to his success with Honda, wondering if the Japanese manufacturer might be in the mix even if it is a direct rival to GM, especially in IndyCar. That said, GM and Honda are collaborating in the EV market.

"We do have a large partnership with Honda," admitted Reuss. "We also compete against Honda in series like IndyCar as well. So we have that natural respect and relationship, which is not problematic at all. We'll talk about the engine piece of this at a later date."

Meanwhile, as F1 itself appeared to show indifference to the Andretti-Cadillac announcement, Michael Andretti was asked if he was hoping to enter the sport sooner than 2026.

"It's going to depend on the Expression of Interest, how long that takes, and where we are at the time," he replied. "But we are going to be on track as soon as it all makes sense to be on track."

While FIA president, Mohammed ben Sulayem was quick to respond positively to Thursday's announcement, other than a terse statement F1 appeared indifferent, indeed, the news didn't even warrant a mention on the sport's official website.

This comes at a time some suggest there is an increasing rift between F1 and the FIA, the sport's governing body.

Asked if Ben Sulayem's support was enough to see his team make it to the grid, Andretti replied: "It is still an FIA Series. The President has definitely showed that you really would like to have an 11th team at least on the grid. He is a racer and he understands the importance of that for the series itself.

"We feel very confident that, once the Expression of Interest goes out, especially having a great partnership with Cadillac, we have a very, very, very good shot at checking every box and being able to be on the grid soon."

Almost from the moment Andretti first signalled his desire to enter the sport, some, including the likes of (F1 boss) Stefano Domenicali, Toto Wolff and Ferrari have appeared to put stumbling blocks in the way.

Other than 'fears' that an 'extra' team would dilute the prize pot - a fear remedied by the $200m pay-out to existing teams demand - Andretti's sceptics have cited their fears for the long-term future of a new team without manufacturer support.

"We're bringing one of the biggest manufacturers in the world now with us with General Motors, motors in Cadillac," said Andretti. "So we feel that that was the one box we didn't have checked that we do have checked now.

"That, I think, will be bringing a tremendous amount of support now to Formula 1. It's hard for anyone to argue with that now."

Indeed.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 09/01/2023 1:12

"@ Elsiebc...thanks for that response. Likewise, I thrive on global cultural interests. Harking back to the 'Nat Geo' not only was I under the 'kiddie'spell of US autos, Lincoln/Buick/De Soto/Dodge/Hudson and Studebaker to name a few but also the detailed maps that were sent as inserts. Excellent quality maps of every state of the US gave me a geographical concept upon which to dwell and learn the place names.Fascinating times. As for the 'native girls' and their state of dress....that's worth an entirely new thread!!!."

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2. Posted by elsiebc, 08/01/2023 20:38

"@kenji It's interesting hearing from other cultures across this grand planet. Where I live we eagerly awaited the Nat Geo mags for the pictures of the native girls!
"

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3. Posted by kenji, 08/01/2023 12:48

"@ Mad Matt...thanks for the response. Where I live Cadillac aren't even available but I do know of their history in the US. As a child I eagerly awaited the arrival each month of the 'National Geographic' publication that my parents subscribed to and which featured Cadillacs, always on the back cover. They were the 'Rolls Royce' of the Americas in those days. Since 2017 Cadillac have been racing competitively with IMSA and they are now onto their third gen LMDH with their latest hypercars entry in the WEC. From what I've read Cadillac will be the umbrella make under which they will be a part of the Andretti partnership with all their facilities at call. This new relationship will now put the FIA/Liberty under stress as it firms up any shorfall in the elimination process across all new entities seeking a grid slot. Time for new some new blood...."

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4. Posted by Chester, 08/01/2023 12:24

"Seems odd if the engine/engine development is not funded by Cadillac. I never understood the Aston/TAG name for Red Bull's Renault engine. "

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5. Posted by Mad Matt, 08/01/2023 11:32

"@kenji Could be that I'm being too cynical... From a personal point of view I'd be more than happy to get a new team into F1, I just don't see Cadillac as a good fit. Where I live they're seen (perhaps unfairly) as boring drives of dubious quality.

That apart, the reality is that the F1 team will have nothing to do with the sponsor so I'd have to be happy even if Dacia were backing them!"

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6. Posted by kenji, 08/01/2023 2:30

"@ Mad Matt....IIRC some short time back Andretti announced a full coverage for the $200M by an American hedge fund. It may be that GM will now stump this up in any new arrangement. I very much doubt that the funding for a new team will be any problem. The main problem I see is the 'strange' bias that seems to be evident from FOM/Liberty!!! This Cadillac alliance will have put the FIA/Liberty on notice!"

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7. Posted by Mad Matt, 07/01/2023 12:30

"@Max Noble is probably right :-)

My personal suspicion is that Andretti can't meet the pre-requisites for an entry (probably money) and so is trying to use the press to put pressure on FOM.... but then I can be a bit of an old cynic these days....
"

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8. Posted by Max Noble, 07/01/2023 0:58

"…or DTS have scripted the Andretti entry, and want maximum tension before the tearful hugs all around episode when just seconds before the FIA deadline closes…. The Andretti bid is accepted…!!!! Great finish for the next season of DTS… ;-) Cliff hanger and all that… ;-)"

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9. Posted by kenji, 07/01/2023 0:36

"In looking for reasons why FOM seem to be reluctant to endorse any new entries it can be narrowed down into possibly two areas. The first one has been canvassed thoroughly and that is 'prospective diminution of $$$ shares' but the second reason is, I believe, more pertinent and that is that Ferrari and Mercedes, et al, fear having serious competition on top of what they already have. What else could it be? The Andretti/Cadillac combination could become a formidable force and they have the 'chops' to make that happen. If they fail, so what? We have at least had the benefit of seeing the top three being put under renewed pressure and that can't be bad for the series. In fact it would be welcome as at the very least we would see more young drivers getting to strut their stuff.... "

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10. Posted by Endre, 06/01/2023 15:45

"@Editor I didn't men this as a dig at the Pitpass team, sorry if it came out that way. It is just too many F1 news articles these days that have very little meaningful content"

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11. Posted by Spindoctor, 06/01/2023 14:45

"I don't see what "F1"'s problem is with Andretti - with or without GM. His track-record in IndyCar is brilliant & even if, like many other hopefuls before him, his Team flops, surely he should be allowed to have a go?"

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12. Posted by Editor, 06/01/2023 13:55

"@ Endre

Sorry for wasting your time with an article that contained no news... even though - desite your comment - neither Mark Reuss or Michael Andretti identified Renault as the potential team's engine supplier, indeed going out of their way not to name a partner.

In future would you like us to forward articles to you in advance in order that you might rate their news worthiness?"

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13. Posted by Endre, 06/01/2023 13:41

"Where is the news in this article? It was announced several months ago that Andretti signed a contract with Renault ..."

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Andretti has agreement with engine supplier

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