Cadillac has branded its 2026 Method 1 automobile the MAC-26, named after world champion and Indy 500 winner Mario Andretti.
Andretti was one of many authentic driving forces behind the mission to convey the workforce to F1, previously helmed by his son Michael. The 85-year-old has since taken on extra of a backseat function within the mission, which is led by majority proprietor TWG Motorsports CEO Dan Towriss and workforce principal Graeme Lowdon.
However the squad has nonetheless taken plenty 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 Method 1 and the assumption that an American workforce belongs on this stage. His story embodies the American dream and conjures up how we method constructing this workforce each day,” mentioned Towriss.
Mario Andretti mentioned he was honoured by seeing his identify linked to the arrival of a brand new US-owned workforce 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 Method 1 Staff sees these years as significant and worthy of recording with this honour,” Andretti mentioned.
Cadillac Chassis MAC-26 Mario Andretti Cadillac 26
Picture by: Cadillac Communications
“I cherish the chance that it provides me to have an enduring bond with F1 and am genuinely appreciative of everybody who continues to acknowledge my half in racing historical past.”
Talking completely to Autosport earlier this 12 months, workforce boss Lowdon paid tribute to Andretti’s affect on the mission.
One quote related to Andretti goes “if all the things appears underneath management, you are not going quick sufficient”, which in response to Lowdon summed up the breakneck pace at which Cadillac has needed to put collectively its F1 workforce throughout each side of the Atlantic.
“We’re going as quick as we presumably can! I believe it is an ideal quote from Mario,” Lowdon mentioned. “He is a real champion. I actually take pleasure in speaking with him. He has the power of a champion and the aggressive spirit of a champion as properly.
“There have been just a few of his quotes alongside the way in which that I’ve lent on. And I believe lots of people within the workforce have as properly. He is the man who is aware of the right way to win. And finally, that is the target of all groups.”
Becoming a member of F1 as its first start-up workforce in a decade, Cadillac has to date met each deadline because it took half in all three winter exams.
Regardless of the anticipated teething points, Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas accomplished a mixed 3935km within the Ferrari-engined MAC-26, with the workforce anticipating to battle Aston Martin to remain off the final row of the gird at subsequent week’s season opener in Australia.
We need to hear from you!
Tell us what you wish to see from us sooner or later.
– The Autosport.com Staff
