Mario Andretti has given a positive assessment of the new Cadillac Formula 1 team's early season performance ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. Despite a challenging debut in Australia, the team showed improvement in China. Andretti highlighted the team's professional execution and ongoing progress.
Mario Andretti, reflecting on Cadillac's entry into Formula 1 as the 11th team in 2026, shared optimistic views on the Drive to Wynn podcast. The American squad faced anxiety ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne but received strong support from Cadillac's top management. Andretti noted that Cadillac 'looked like they belonged in every way, the presentation and the execution, everything.' He praised the experience of team principal Graeme Lowdon and consultant Pat Symonds, along with talents recruited from other teams, saying he was 'proud, quite honestly, and very pleased to see them execute' despite minor glitches. Valtteri Bottas did not finish the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, one of six drivers who failed to complete the race, as the team aimed simply to participate. Progress came in the second round at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, where Bottas finished 13th and teammate Sergio Perez 15th—accounting for seven retirements or non-starters. Qualifying times improved notably, reducing the gap from four seconds off the pace to two seconds. 'So we got through the first race and the second race was definitely a little bit better in China, both cars finishing,' Andretti said. The team plans to build on this in every race, including the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix.
