Mario Andretti sets top-10 target for Cadillac F1 by end of 2026

Cadillac F1 board member and 1978 World Champion Mario Andretti has set an ambitious target for the new team, stating he wants to see it consistently challenging for points and top-10 finishes by the conclusion of the 2026 season. This bold vision comes after the team showed tangible progress at the Chinese Grand Prix, where both cars finished a race for the first time.

Why it matters:

For a brand-new F1 operation, setting clear, public performance targets is a statement of intent and a crucial motivator. Andretti's goal underscores Cadillac's long-term commitment to climbing the grid, moving beyond simply participating to becoming a genuine points contender within its first three seasons—a steep but critical challenge for establishing credibility in the sport.

The details:

• The Chinese Grand Prix marked a significant step forward for Cadillac, with Valtteri Bottas finishing 13th (the team's best result to date) and Sergio Perez classified 15th, securing the team's first double finish.
• Andretti highlighted the qualifying improvement, noting the gap to the front was roughly halved from around four seconds in Melbourne to about two seconds in Shanghai, with Bottas even outqualifying Aston Martin's Lance Stroll.
• Despite the progress, Andretti acknowledges the need for realism while emphasizing that "thinking big" is essential. He stated, "That’s the only way that you’re ultimately going to accomplish what is important, to be able to be a factor and start winning races."
• The team is currently in its foundational phase, with drivers Bottas and Perez described as being "a bit rusty" initially as they adapt to the new car and team dynamics.

What's next:

The immediate focus remains on incremental development and reliability. The Japanese Grand Prix presents the next opportunity to build on the momentum from China. The broader timeline is clear: steady progression throughout 2024 and 2025 is required to lay the groundwork for Andretti's target of becoming a consistent top-10 challenger by the end of the 2026 campaign, which would be a major success for the fledgling team.