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The team secured registration with the FIA last October, but failed to pass the second stage of the process when its application was not approved by F1 in a statement released on January 31. The project thus remains in limbo while discussions continue behind the scenes.
The team continues to target a 2026 entry, should a deal with F1 be reached.
Despite no confirmation of an entry, it is pressing ahead with its plans, and the new facility is the most visible sign yet that its ambition to join the network is intact.
Until now, the design team has been working from a temporary office in the Silverstone Park grounds, opposite the British Grand Prix venue.
The team has now begun its move to the new 40,000 square foot facility nearby, with the aeronautical department already on site and the mechanical department expected to follow. The team will also eventually take over an adjacent 70,000-square-foot building.
The design department and racing team will be based at Silverstone, while manufacturing and construction of the cars will eventually be carried out in the United States at the new Fishers factory near Indianapolis. R&D and design activities are also undertaken at General Motors in Charlotte.
If a registration is finally granted for 2026, it is still planned to use the Renault engine for the first two seasons according to the new regulations, before switching to a Cadillac engine in 2028.
“F1 is obviously the pinnacle of motor racing in the world,” Michael Andretti told a team staff meeting at Wednesday’s ceremony.
Michael Andretti, Mario Andretti, Dan Towriss, Andretti Global
Photo by: Andretti
“We are in all types of racing series, but being in F1 is at the top. And that’s why I think for our brand, it would be huge.
“And it will just allow us to achieve our goal of participating in every major sporting event in the world. And then obviously, getting to F1 is the pinnacle of it all.
“So that’s a big goal, it’s been one of our goals for a few years now. And we are there, we will be there. And we are convinced that we will be there.
“And we are also building a fantastic team, this is something that is going to be unique in F1, building a real F1 team from scratch with great minds.
“It’s something that I think might surprise a lot of people when we finally get on the grid.”
Andretti Global Partner Dan Towriss highlighted the commissioning of the new UK base as a key moment in the team’s history.
“I would say an important milestone today is the opening of our factory in Silverstone,” he said.
“It’s also about continuing to acquire the necessary talents, to have the people, the financial resources, the technical resources capable of having a competitive team. And so we bring the resources together.
“Michael and I and Mario have a few things to do behind the scenes, but we’ll take care of business over there. And while that happens, we continue to build the team.
Base Andretti Silverstone
Photo by: Andretti
Regarding the partnership with Cadillac, Towriss said: “The collaboration with General Motors is fantastic because we hear how everyone is working together, across time zones. Technology allows things to happen in real time, it’s so exciting. And therefore simply to continue to capitalize on this opportunity.
“We just want to keep building. This is an important milestone today, and we will continue to build. We also have facilities in Fishers that are being built, just to make sure that we have world-class facilities for world-class people to build a world-class team.
Michael Andretti highlighted that being able to start from scratch was a key advantage for the new project.
“I think one thing is we’re building from the ground up,” he said. “So we’re building a team with new ideas. I think some of the old teams you’re joining are already well established.
“And we can design this exactly the way we want, and do it in a new, modern way.” And I think there could be a huge benefit.
“And then having GM as a partner, who is as excited as all of us to get out there and show off their technology, when we put it all together, we’ll bring something truly unique.”
“Besides another thing that’s already been done, and I think it’s going to be a big story, it will ultimately be an all-American team, with a car built in the United States, with an American engine, American owners. and possibly American pilots. So it’s always cool to do something that’s never been done before.
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