Andretti Autosport and General Motors’ joint effort to enter the Formula One racing world has received criticism, with some labeling it as nothing more than a PR stunt. However, retired world champion Mario Andretti, father of team owner Michael Andretti, refuted such claims in an exclusive interview with AMuS.
Mario Andretti made it clear that the partnership with GM was not a PR stunt. He explained that GM had its own pride and would not want to simply latch onto something without bringing in their own technology. GM already has a motorsport development center, which is where they will continue to invest to eventually develop all the technical aspects of the car and engine themselves.
“It’s not a PR stunt. GM also has its pride. They don’t just want to latch onto something, they want to bring the technology themselves,” said Andretti. “That’s what interests them about the project. They know what to expect. General Motors already has a motorsport development center. They will continue to invest in that department to eventually develop all the technical aspects of the car and engine themselves.”
Andretti also pointed out that this is a long-term project that they are highly invested in. The Andretti family has a long history in motorsport, and this venture is not about making a quick profit. They have already invested a lot and hired engineers who are just waiting for everything to take off.
“It is a long-term project. Look at our history. Everyone can see what motorsport means to our family. That is our life,” he said. “We have never driven anywhere just to make a profit. We have already invested a lot and hired engineers who are just waiting for everything to take off. If they didn’t believe in us, they would have walked away a long time ago.”
Andretti’s comments come after criticism from some quarters that the partnership was simply a PR stunt. Some have argued that the Andretti-GM partnership is unlikely to succeed, with F1 being a highly competitive and expensive sport. However, Andretti remains confident about the partnership’s prospects, citing the backing of a major player like GM as a key advantage.
The Andretti-GM partnership is expected to submit a bid for entry into F1 as soon as possible. The exact details of their plans are yet to be revealed, but the Andretti family has a strong pedigree in motorsport, having won numerous championships across various categories. The backing of GM, one of the largest automakers in the world, only adds to their credibility.
