Looking ahead to the 2026 Formula 1 season, Fernando Alonso’s vast experience could give Aston Martin a significant edge as they aim to master the new regulations and mount a serious challenge for the Drivers’ Championship. While Fernando Alonso wouldn’t become the oldest champion in F1 history if he were to claim the title in 2026, he could still do so in 2027. Juan Manuel Fangio’s record of winning the championship at 46 years old in 1957 remains the benchmark for now.

During his time with Ferrari, Alonso faced moments of frustration, notably when the team signed Kimi Raikkonen, a move that left him feeling sidelined. Robert Kubica, who had a contract to replace Felipe Massa starting in the 2012 season, believed that he could have outperformed Alonso at Ferrari. However, Robert Kubica‘s career was nearly cut short by a life-threatening rally crash, allowing the Brazilian to stay on for a while longer before being replaced by Kimi Raikkonen ahead of the 2014 season.

The Spanish driver had voiced concerns about the team’s performance up until that point, but he was particularly frustrated by the decision to replace his teammate Massa, with whom he had a strong working relationship. Reflecting on the move in 2013, F1 legend Mario Andretti suggested that Alonso’s outspoken criticisms of Ferrari were likely a factor in the team’s decision to replace Felipe Massa Massa with the Finnish driver.

Mario Andretti told F1GrandPrix.it that, in his view, the Spanish driver had grown frustrated during the season, and his remarks had offended the Italian side. He added that the team would not have hired someone capable of challenging and potentially defeating Alonso otherwise.

Did Fernando Alonso Make the Right Call by Leaving Ferrari After 2014?
Fernando Alonso’s departure from Ferrari at the end of 2014 remains a heavily debated decision in Formula 1 circles. His final season with the team saw him far outperform new teammate Kimi Raikkonen, scoring 161 points compared to the Finn’s 55—a near threefold margin. However, Alonso’s frustrations with Ferrari’s lack of competitiveness at the time led him to seek opportunities elsewhere.

Since Fernando Alonso’s exit, Scuderia Ferrari has managed to win at least one race in all but three seasons, though they have yet to secure a championship. In hindsight, staying with the Scuderia might have been a better option, as his subsequent move to McLaren proved disastrous. The team’s uncompetitive cars and unreliable engines left Alonso without a single podium finish across four seasons, a stark contrast to his earlier success.

After briefly retiring from Formula 1, Fernando Alonso returned with Alpine and later joined Aston Martin, but he has struggled to recapture the magic of his early career. Despite flashes of brilliance, the consistent form that defined his championship-winning years remains elusive.

Looking ahead, the 2026 regulations offer the Spaniard one last realistic shot at adding to his legacy in Formula 1. With Aston Martin’s ambitious plans and the arrival of Adrian Newey, the new rules could align perfectly with Alonso’s wealth of experience. If Aston Martin delivers a championship-contending car, Fernando Alonso’s choice to leave Ferrari might ultimately pay off—though it has been a long and challenging road to get to this point.

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This long-anticipated news means that the Italian team will supply the mechanical components of the car to the American outfit while GM develops and debuts its Cadillac-branded power unit. However, this engine won’t be ready for the first year under the new regulations but is expected to arrive in 2028. The announcement of this fascinating yet unique partnership, given the names involved, came in recent days directly from Maranello via a statement on its website. It is subject to the formal ratification of the team’s entry into F1 for 2026 (pending approval from FOM) and will likely span multiple years, specifically 2026 and 2027.

Why Ferrari?
This agreement with Mario Andretti has been discussed during an exclusive interview for Formula1.it. His perspective is particularly insightful, given his role as “Director of Board” for Cadillac, making him a key figure in the decision-making process.

“I’ve always preferred Ferrari’s PU. There’s no question about it; it’s wonderful. Deep down, my heart has always been red. For me, it’s also a choice driven by emotions. It was an obligatory move since, in the beginning, we’ll have to purchase the power unit before the Cadillac engine arrives. We had options, and we chose Ferrari.” – the former Ferrari driver pointed out.

Cadillac’s long-term commitment
Beyond the power unit decision, the 1978 F1 world champion also commented on Cadillac’s logistical plans. The team will have a base in Silverstone, utilizing the newly constructed Andretti facility for its F1 entry. Additionally, there will be a facility in the United States—key infrastructure for a serious and long-term project.

“Yes, it will be our home. We’ll also have a headquarters in the United States. These are quite complex arrangements, but necessary given the commitment of at least ten years. It’s an exciting program, with Cadillac making its F1 debut. We aim to do our best. I don’t want to talk about goals. Perhaps the 2026 regulations will help us, and we’ll give it our all, as we’ve always done.” – he concluded.

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A promising 2024… for 2025: Mario Andretti’s view
Even though the triumph eluded them, Ferrari can reflect positively on the final race of the year for its resilience and determination. The Scuderia also has reasons to look back on 2024 with pride—for overcoming challenges, for their progress, and for once again battling with other top teams, something that hadn’t been seen in years. This sets the stage for optimism heading into 2025, a year in which Ferrari will aim for a championship assault—a genuine possibility, according to Mario Andretti. In a recent exclusive interview, the 1979 world champion expressed confidence in Fred Vasseur’s team, which he believes is well-positioned for the future. He highlighted that the already competitive SF-24 will serve as a solid foundation for the 2025 car, which will retain the strengths of its predecessor while addressing its weaknesses, potentially making it a title contender. Of course, all of this hinges on proving itself on the track and contending with rivals.

“Ferrari has been very competitive with Sainz and Leclerc. I believe in 2025 the Scuderia will be ready to win: they’ll work on the car, understand what’s needed, and where to intervene. They’ll make progress, as they always do, and I think they’ll be in a position to fight for victory.”

A bittersweet farewell for Carlos Sainz
From next season, Ferrari will likely boast the best driver pairing on the grid: Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. The arrival of the seven-time world champion is sparking great interest, as many are eager to see what Hamilton can achieve with the team. However, his arrival comes at the cost of Carlos Sainz, whose departure Andretti lamented. The Spaniard consistently demonstrated speed, reliability, and exceptional teamwork.

“Hamilton’s arrival will make everything very exciting. I feel sorry for Sainz—he was sacrificed despite proving he could win and work for the team. But that’s racing. On the other hand, Hamilton has always shown interest in Ferrari, and it will be fascinating to see how things unfold.”

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Mario Andretti: a motorsport legend, with experiences and triumphs in F1, IndyCar, and much more. The best moment of his career?

“I had a very long career, and I was lucky to conclude it unharmed. I’ve had many great moments, but those with Ferrari were the best, the most precious. My first love in the automotive world was Ferrari, from when I was still in Italy. As a child, I cheered for the Scuderia and Italian drivers. Then there’s the day I became F1 world champion in 1978 at Monza. Even though I remember it with sadness because I lost my teammate Ronnie Peterson. I’ve enjoyed great moments in IndyCar and endurance races. I’ve been fortunate to achieve more than I ever imagined.”

Among these moments is the 1978 F1 championship with the Lotus 79. Any anecdotes from that season?

“It was a car that suited me perfectly, and I got the most out of it. Honestly, with a reliable engine, I could have fought for the title in ’77, but I lost many races while leading due to Cosworth engine failures. In 1978, things went better—I finished many races and won the championship. Winning it at Monza was wonderful.”

A race where Ronnie Peterson suffered a serious accident. What do you remember?

“The accident wasn’t as severe as it’s often thought. Ronnie had injuries, but no one expected him to die. We were confident he would stay in the hospital but recover. Instead, he passed away the next day due to complications. I lost not only my teammate but also a great friend.”

It’s impossible not to talk about the Ferrari years. What was your relationship with Enzo Ferrari like?

“Extremely valuable. We spoke the same language, without intermediaries. Everything was direct, face-to-face. I remember our conversations over lunch at the Maranello restaurant. I also recall the tragic 1982 season when Ferrari lost Villeneuve and Pironi. He decided to call me for the final races—a great honor. The car was fast; after just one test at Fiorano, I was on pole at Monza. I only lost the race due to an engine issue near the end.”

Speaking of Ferrari, how do you see their prospects for 2024 and 2025 with Lewis Hamilton joining?

“Ferrari has been very competitive with Sainz and Leclerc. Hamilton’s arrival will make things even more interesting. I feel sorry for Sainz; he was sacrificed despite proving he could win and work for the team. But that’s racing. On the other hand, Hamilton has always shown interest in Ferrari, and it will be exciting to see how things play out. I believe Ferrari will be in a position to win in 2025: they’ll work on the car, understand what’s needed, and make improvements. They’ll progress, like everyone, but I think they’ll be ready to fight for victory.”

From 2026, Cadillac will join F1 as the eleventh team. It’s been a long journey…

“It’s been tough, but we’ve worked and pushed forward. We’re not starting from scratch; we’ve been working on this for two years, but the official approval gives us peace of mind and unlocks situations that were pending. We’ll be ready in 2026.”

The project has shifted from Andretti/Cadillac to Cadillac “in collaboration” with Andretti, and your son Michael had to step back. Why so much resistance?

“It’s a long story. There came a time when Michael decided to step aside—not the best moment of his career. In the end, everything worked out well, and he’s very happy with the result. Of course, the Andretti name won’t disappear; we’ll be involved in the program.”

Will the base be at the Andretti factory in Silverstone?

“Yes, that will be our home. We’ll also have a facility in the United States. These are complex but necessary arrangements, considering a commitment of at least ten years. It will be a great program, with Cadillac debuting in F1. We aim to do our best. I don’t want to talk about specific targets. Perhaps the 2026 regulations will help us; we’ll give it our all, as always.”

You’ve been named ‘Director of Board’ for Cadillac. What does this role entail?

“I’ll provide advice where and when possible. I’m particularly interested in driver selection and technical suggestions. I’ll do what I want, what I enjoy. I don’t need to be present every day, nor do I want to be. I’ll also have a home near the factory to follow some European GPs.”

A consultant role similar to Helmut Marko’s?

“Not really. My role remains unchanged from what I had in IndyCar alongside my son. I do what I can; I’ve never considered managing the team or handling business matters. Never.”

You’ve announced the choice of Ferrari’s power unit. Can you explain this decision? Is it purely technical/economic, or is there also emotional value for you?

“I’ve always preferred Ferrari’s PU. There’s no question—it’s great. Deep down, my heart is always red. For me, it’s also an emotional choice. It was an obligatory move since we’ll need to buy an engine at the start before Cadillac develops its own. We had options, and we chose Ferrari.”

Do you already have ideas about drivers?

“The plan is to always have at least one American driver. Everything can change, but we have ideas and know what we want. There’s time to see if we can pair an experienced driver with a young American.”

You’re working on the car and have hired technicians like Pat Symonds and Nick Chester. Will you continue recruiting staff from other teams?

“Absolutely. Some key technicians were waiting for F1’s official approval to give us an answer. We already have experienced staff, but now we have many more opportunities. We’ll also bring in young talent.”

You once promised to perform the first shakedown of Andretti’s F1 car. Will you do the same with Cadillac?

“Of course, I’ll take the first laps in the new car. I can’t wait to burn some rubber. I’ve been waiting for this moment for years: GM entering Formula 1. The fact they’re joining with a team started by us means a lot.”

Finally, who is Mario Andretti?

“A calm, serene person. My passion is motorsport, and I’m always present in the automotive world. And I surely will be until the very end.”

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Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 world champion, expressed sympathy for Carlos Sainz as the Spanish driver prepares to leave Scuderia Ferrari after the final three races of the 2024 Formula 1 championship. At the start of the year, the Italian side informed Carlos Sainz that his time with the team would end after the current F1 campaign, with seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton set to take his place starting with the 2025 season.

Carlos Sainz, who joined the Maranello team in 2021, has secured four Grand Prix wins during his time with the iconic Italian team. While Mario Andretti is eager to see Lewis Hamilton race for Ferrari, he also recognized that Carlos Sainz has faced a tough situation.

“It is great to see a driver like Hamilton coming to Ferrari,” the American-Italian former racing driver and businessman, who competed in Formula One from 1968 to 1982, said in a recent interview with the Italian daily newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I am sure he will bring a lot of knowledge, after a whole career spent working with British teams, and also a lot of interest from the fans for this new phase in his life. On the other hand, however, I have to say that I feel very sorry for Carlos Sainz, who in recent years has shown that he can fight at the highest level and is often on a par with Charles Leclerc. I think he has been a bit sacrificed and I am sorry that he has not found a top team for his future in Formula 1.” – the former Ferrari driver explained.

The British driver will become Charles Leclerc’s fourth full-time teammate at Ferrari, a team the Monegasque joined at the beginning of the 2019 Formula 1 season. However, Lewis Hamilton will be the most experienced and successful driver Charles Leclerc has ever partnered with, boasting more than 100 Grand Prix victories.

And Mario Andretti believes Charles Leclerc will have much to learn from the 30-year-old, as they team up to help Ferrari regain its position at the front of the grid: “Everyone experiences things differently and you would need to know all the details of the deal to know Leclerc’s position. What is certain is that it will be a big boost for Charles next year to have a champion like Hamilton by his side. Next season we will also have a lot of rookies on track, like Kimi Antonelli making his Mercedes debut at only 18 years old.” – Mario Andretti concluded.

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Here is Mario Andretti’s interview for the Italian daily newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport:

Is Red Bull still the absolute ruler of Formula 1? Or was this just an isolated incident?
“No, results like these are real, tangible. It wasn’t a fluke: Ferrari had the pace in free practice and in qualifying. They did everything right from Friday, and it was great to see Carlos at 100% after the surgery that sidelined him in Arabia. He and Leclerc are now there, they can take on anyone.”

So, can this happen again during the year?
“Absolutely yes, Ferrari has closed the gap. This was a well-constructed feat from the start. It will be interesting to watch the rest of the season, but I’ve seen good signs. This time Ferrari did everything right, with the tires and also with the strategies, two areas that were weaknesses in the past.”

Is Carlos Sainz, who has won the last two GPs for the team, a surprise?
“Not at all. I’ve always said that both Carlos and Charles are drivers capable of winning races and even a championship. They are both ‘championship material,’ we’ve seen it and continue to see it.”

The Spaniard was superb, while Charles Leclerc changed his setup in qualifying and said goodbye to pole. A costly mistake.
“You always have to try to do better, adapt the car to your driving style: it’s not a mistake to change the setup to try and get something more out of it. Of course, you’re taking a risk and sometimes it doesn’t pay off, it’s not guaranteed to be the right direction. Carlos, compared to Charles, had everything set up well from the start in Melbourne, a better feeling with the SF-24. I’m a bit sorry to see that he was sacrificed to make room for Lewis Hamilton. But for sure, with the way he’s racing, he deserves to find a seat with which to fight for wins: he has earned a top team for the future.”

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Max Verstappen hadn’t retired in two years, his knockout is a rarity: could the atmosphere at Red Bull have played a part?
“No, it was a coincidence. It’s also hard to think that it could have been a mechanic’s distraction. Anyway, what happened inside the team is still a bad blow for everyone: the tension might leave some slag, it’s negative.”

Mercedes is in crisis but Hamilton is always behind Russell: has he lost his shine?
“Lewis has often had a means to try to win in his career, he didn’t need to bring out 100% and so he rarely made mistakes. Russell was fighting every minute with a non-competitive Williams, when he moved to Mercedes he thought he had arrived in heaven and instead found himself fighting again: he is used to it and so he is ahead of his teammate. Hamilton seemed superhuman but he too is human, as happened to Schumacher when after his successes with Ferrari he returned to Formula 1 with Mercedes and the impossible no longer worked for him. But it will still be very interesting to see Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari, with his great desire to end his career in Maranello.”

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Nonetheless, the Andretti family is excited about the result and remains optimistic about the future, as Mario Andretti stated in a recent interview with Autosprint: “I’m thrilled. We’re moving forward, and this should be taken as a very positive development. We hope that everything else goes well too. In the meantime, I can tell you that an intense eight-month effort was needed to meet the requirements set by the FIA, to provide them with everything they deemed necessary.”

First details: location and drivers

Entering the pinnacle of motorsport is a dream come true and the culmination of a long journey, in which Andretti has achieved notable successes. Therefore, Mario Andretti can only be pleased with what his son is building: “As a father, I’m immensely proud of what he’s constructing. For years, he has been trying to open all doors in the highest and most competitive racing categories. He practically had this ambition from the beginning of his career as a team manager. When he was a driver, after achieving so much, he retired at the peak, at the age of forty-two, just to nurture the project of creating a great team. I can say he succeeded. Now he’s laying the foundation for further advancement, aiming to reach Constructor status in Formula 1.” – the former Ferrari driver explained.

In addition to the bureaucratic work with the Federation, there was also the need to create dedicated infrastructure, and the American has started revealing some details of the work: “I can confirm that we will have a base in Europe, and it will be in England, but I can’t go into further specifics. The full details will be announced in due course.” – he pointed out.

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The interview then focused on what interests the viewers, who welcomed the news of the eleventh team positively: who will be the team’s drivers? “Certainly, the intention is to promote young American drivers who otherwise wouldn’t have a chance to reach Formula One, that is, talents who might otherwise be lost. Although it’s too early to mention names or indicate directions. Ultimately, the specific choice in the future may be inspired by opportunistic criteria typical of the moment when the decision has to be made. So providing a list of names now would be premature. When the time comes, the selection will be made. The right people need to be found at the right moment.”

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In 2010 and 2012, Fernando Alonso fought for the championship until the final race, in 2017 and 2018, Sebastian Vettel contested the world title with Lewis Hamilton until late in the seasons, and just a year ago, the dazzling start of Charles Leclerc with the F1-75 turned out to be a mere illusion due to a series of power unit failures and poor strategical decisions which prevented the Monegasque driver from challenging Max Verstappen for the title.

2023 quickly dashed hopes of revenge, and even 2024 could be a transitional season towards 2025, the last year of this regulatory cycle before the anticipated change in 2026, not only in terms of power units. Mario Andretti, the 1978 Formula 1 world champion with Lotus and also a driver for the Scuderia Ferrari, has no doubts about what the Maranello team would need to aim for victory again: “Ferrari needs to bring back Luca di Montezemolo, that’s what I think,” the opinion of the motorsport legend, as Mario Andretti also won in IndyCar in 1984.

Luca di Montezemolo was the sporting director of the Prancing Horse in the 1970s, experiencing the successes of Niki Lauda, and led the team to Formula 1 world titles from 2000 to 2004 with Michael Schumacher during his long presidency of Ferrari, which began in 1991 and ended in 2014 when Sergio Marchionne took his place, sadly passing away prematurely in 2018. The baton left by Sergio Marchionne was taken up by John Elkann, and now in 2023, Frederic Vasseur’s adventure at the helm of the Scuderia has just begun after the four-year tenure of Mattia Binotto from 2019 to 2022.

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Mario Andretti added that he feels particular empathy and solidarity for drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz: “I feel very sorry for them, it’s not their fault, I’m sure of it – ‘Piedone’ added – Charles is frustrated by what’s happening, sometimes even at a strategic level. I’m disappointed in the management of the Scuderia, very disappointed. Any F1 enthusiast can’t help but pay attention to Ferrari, for which there’s always a soft spot. At the moment, the drivers aren’t being offered a winning ‘package’.” – the motorsport legend concluded.

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Andretti’s Proposed Solution: Recall Montezemolo to Revive Ferrari

“Ferrari must bring back Montezemolo,” declared Mario Andretti straightforwardly about the current state of the prancing horse. “This is my view and opinion.”

Under Luca Cordero di Montezemolo’s leadership, the Maranello team dominated the first half of the 2000s. After nine years without a championship since taking on the role of president in 1991, the red team, led by the trio of Ross Brawn, Jean Todt, and Rory Byrne, secured the first of five consecutive titles in the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka in 2000, with Michael Schumacher behind the wheel.

The German driver repeated his triumph every year until 2005, passing the torch to Fernando Alonso. The last championship under Luca di Montezemolo‘s tenure was in 2007, when Kimi Raikkonen unexpectedly clinched the title at Interlagos. The Italian businessman then stepped down in 2014, at the end of one of the most challenging Formula One seasons in the prancing horse’s history.

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“I’m very sorry for them, both Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc,” Mario Andretti continues about the driver situation. “I’m frustrated with what’s happening with Ferrari. It’s hard to understand because it seems that, even from a strategic perspective, they’re not making all the best decisions.” – the former Formula 1 driver concluded.

Source: f1ingenerale

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Mario Andretti’s Words
“From our perspective, we’re just following the procedures. We’ve done everything, and now it’s in their hands,” commented the 1978 world champion to RacingNews365, referring to the FIA and Formula 1. “At this moment, we’re waiting, but we should know something shortly. There isn’t a specific timeline, but we were told early September. Joining Formula 1 in 2025 would be not only advantageous but also a key factor. It’s something that has been strongly proposed, and I think it makes sense. Initially, we aimed for 2024, but as the procedure dragged on, it became clear that 2025 was more feasible. As for the drivers, I can say with certainty that there will be an American driver and another experienced one.”

Response to Helmut Marko
Mario Andretti then responded to Helmut Marko, who had suggested that he should buy Alpine instead of adding two cars to the grid: “We are, of course, open to any opportunity, but regarding the purchase of a team, the alternatives have already been explored.” – the former Ferrari driver pointed out. After unsuccessfully attempting to acquire Sauber in 2021, the Andretti family has “knocked on the doors” of other teams, but they haven’t found anyone willing to sell.

Andretti’s candidacy is undoubtedly the one that has caused the most buzz in recent months. The Americans have taken the initiative, teaming up with General Motors and Cadillac to preemptively counter the controversy over the “added value” their team would bring to F1. A controversy deliberately created by teams to conceal their fear of dividing the revenue pie among 11 rather than 10. Another “powerful” ally of the flying Istrian is undoubtedly FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who wants his entry and that of another team by no later than 2026. Liberty Media is defending the economic interests of the teams and has been in a standoff with the Federation for months. The grid of the future will depend on the agreement between the governing body and the commercial rights holder of Formula 1.

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