Cadillac has branded its 2026 Formulation 1 automotive the MAC-26, named after US world champion and Indy 500 winner Mario Andretti.
Andretti was one of many authentic driving forces behind the undertaking to deliver the group to F1, previously helmed by his son Michael. The 85-year-old has since taken on extra of a backseat within the undertaking, which is led by majority proprietor TWG Motorsports CEO Dan Towriss and group principal Graeme Lowdon.
However the squad has nonetheless taken lots of inspiration from the American racing icon, who has now been immortalised after Cadillac named its first-ever F1 machine after Andretti. The 2026 challenger has been dubbed the MAC-26, quick for Mario Andretti Cadillac.
“Naming our first chassis MAC-26 displays the spirit Mario carried into Formulation 1 and the assumption that an American group belongs on this stage. His story embodies the American dream and evokes how we method constructing this group day-after-day,” mentioned Towriss.
Graeme Lowdon, Group Principal of Cadillac Formulation 1 Group with Mario Andretti
Picture by: Simon Galloway / LAT Photos by way of Getty Photos
Mario Andretti mentioned he was honoured by seeing his title related to the arrival of a brand new US-owned group in F1, which he conquered in 1978 with Lotus.
“Racing has been the enjoyment of my life. It’s the final praise that the Cadillac Formulation 1 Group sees these years as significant and worthy of recording with this honour,” Andretti mentioned. “I cherish the chance that it offers me to have a long-lasting bond with F1 and am genuinely appreciative of everybody who continues to acknowledge my half in racing historical past.”
Talking solely to Motorsport.com earlier this yr, group boss Lowdon paid tribute to Andretti’s affect on the undertaking.
One quote related to Andretti goes “if every little thing appears beneath management, you are not going quick sufficient”, which in keeping with Lowdon summed up the breakneck pace at which Cadillac has needed to put collectively its F1 group throughout either side of the Atlantic.
“We’re going as quick as we probably can! I believe it is an important quote from Mario,” Lowdon mentioned. “He is a real champion. I actually get pleasure from speaking with him. He has the vitality of a champion and the aggressive spirit of a champion as effectively.
“There have been just a few of his quotes alongside the best way that I’ve lent on. And I believe lots of people within the group have as effectively. He is the man who is aware of the best way to win. And finally, that is the target of all groups.”
Becoming a member of F1 as its first start-up group in a decade, Cadillac has up to now met each deadline because it took half in all three winter checks. Regardless of the anticipated teething points, Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas accomplished a mixed 3935km within the Ferrari-engined MAC-26, chassis quantity 22522133, with the group anticipating to battle Aston Martin to remain off the final row of the gird at subsequent week’s season opener in Australia.
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