Cadillac names its first F1 car after Mario Andretti in 'ultimate compliment'

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FILE - 1969 Indy 500 champion Mario Andretti watches from his grandson Marco Andretti's pit area during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, May 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

FILE - U.S. racing driver Mario Andretti showers photographers and cheering fans with a magnum of champagne after winning the Grand Prix de France auto race in a Lotus MK 1V, July 2, 1978, in Le Castellet, France. (AP Photo/Taylor Fornezza File) — FILE - 1969 Indy 500 champion Mario Andretti watches from his grandson Marco Andretti's pit area during practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, May 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

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11:43 AM on Friday, February 27

The Associated Press

SILVERSTONE, England (AP) — Cadillac is naming its first Formula 1 car in honor of 1978 champion Mario Andretti, who calls it the “ultimate compliment” ahead of the team's inaugural race next week at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

F1's new 11th team announced on Friday its car will be the MAC-26, short for Mario Andretti Cadillac, for the most recent American F1 champion.

“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,” said Dan Towriss, chief executive of Cadillac Formula 1 Team Holdings.

“His story embodies the American dream and inspires how we approach building this team every day.”

Andretti is an ambassador for the General Motors-backed Cadillac team, whose F1 entry originated with a bid fronted by his son Michael under the Andretti Global name.

The original bid was rejected by Liberty Media, the commercial rights holder of F1, amid prolonged wrangling. Michael Andretti stepped aside and the entry was restructured with Towriss at the helm and an increased role for GM.

“Racing has been the joy of my life. It is the ultimate compliment that Cadillac Formula 1 Team sees those years as meaningful and worthy of recording with this honor,” Mario Andretti said in a statement.

“I cherish the opportunity that it gives me to have a lasting board with F1 and am genuinely appreciative of everyone who continues to acknowledge my part in racing history.”

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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing