The extraordinary legacy of motorsport legend Mario Andretti will ride with Cadillac into its first F1 season after the team confirmed that its inaugural chassis will carry the American legend’s initials in its official name.
Cadillac has already pulled the covers off its debut Grand Prix challenger, but until now the car’s formal chassis designation had remained under wraps.
When the name is entered into the record books, it will feature “MA” – a deliberate and heartfelt tribute to the 1978 F1 world champion and one of the most influential figures in American motorsport history.
It’s a soulful touch for a project that has fought tooth and nail to get onto the grid, ensuring that even if the "Andretti" name isn't on the door, it’s baked into the very carbon fiber of the car.
For Dan Towriss, the man steering the Cadillac F1 ship as CEO of TWG Motorsports, this wasn’t just a marketing gimmick – it was a necessity to honor the roots of the American bid.
By weaving Mario's initials into the car's DNA, the team is signaling that while they are a "works" powerhouse, they haven't forgotten the racing royalty that paved the way.
“Naming our first chassis MAC-26 reflects the spirit Mario carried into Formula 1 and the belief that an American team belongs on this stage,” commented Towriss.
“Mario Andretti is a legend of Formula 1. A true racer who knows how to win and push the limits of what is possible. But more than that, he is an incredible man with a gentle heart who believes in everyone’s ability to shape their own path,” added Cadillac team boss Graeme Lowdon.
“At the start of my own journey with the team, he asked me not to let him down – I hope that he will be proud to see the Cadillac Formula 1 Team car bearing his name finally take to the grid.”
For Andretti himself, who serves on the team’s board of directors, seeing his initials embedded in Cadillac’s F1 story is deeply personal.
"Racing has been the joy of my life,” said the 86-year-old. “It is the ultimate compliment that the Cadillac Formula 1 Team sees those years as meaningful and worthy of recording with this honor.
“I cherish the opportunity that it gives me to have a lasting bond with F1 and am genuinely appreciative of everyone who continues to acknowledge my part in racing history.”
In a championship built on heritage, detail matters. And when Cadillac’s car lines up on the grid, it won’t just represent a new team on the entry list – it will carry the initials of a champion who once conquered the pinnacle of the sport.
Read also: Cadillac F1 entry hits $1 billion before first Grand Prix
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