Cadillac names first F1 chassis after Mario Andretti

Cadillac has named its first Formula 1 chassis the MAC-26 in honor of racing legend and team ambassador Mario Andretti. The designation, standing for Mario Andretti Cadillac 26, recognizes the 1978 world champion's pivotal role in the team's formation, even as his son Michael was removed from the approved F1 entry.

Why it matters:

Naming the inaugural car after Andretti is a powerful symbolic gesture that connects Cadillac's new F1 venture directly to motorsport royalty and its own bid's history. It acknowledges the complex journey to the grid, mends fences with the Andretti family legacy, and sets a high-performance benchmark for the team to live up to from its debut.

The details:

• The MAC-26 chassis name was revealed ahead of Mario Andretti's 86th birthday on February 28.
• Cadillac stated the name honors "Andretti and his lasting influence on the team's formation and competitive ambition."
• While Mario Andretti served as a key ambassador, his son Michael—who initially spearheaded the bid—was ultimately removed from the F1 entry approved by the sport's governing body.
• Mario Andretti responded to the tribute, calling it the "ultimate compliment" and expressing appreciation "to have a lasting bond with F1."
• Cadillac Team Principal Graeme Lowdon shared that Andretti once told him, "do not let me down," framing the car's naming as a point of accountability and pride for the new operation.

What's next:

All eyes will be on the MAC-26 when it finally takes to the grid, carrying the weight of Andretti's legacy and Cadillac's ambitious return to top-tier motorsport. The naming secures Andretti's place in the team's story before a wheel has even turned in anger, raising expectations for its competitive performance from the outset.