Sure thing, here goes nothing. So, ever feel like time’s just slipping away? That’s the vibe over at Cadillac as they gear up for Formula 1 next year. No joke, they’ve got this ticking clock in their Silverstone factory. Dan Towriss—the guy calling the shots at TWG Motorsports—he’s got this countdown thing going, counting days until engines roar to life, and it’s kinda freaking him out a bit, I think. But hey, it’s not like this came out of the blue.
Way back, this whole gig was Andretti Formula Racing’s baby, until the F.I.A. gave them a nod. Then, bam, straight outta left field—rejected by Formula 1. Wild, right?
Andretti, the dude from those crazy racing families, wasn’t about to just roll over. Last year, he told The New York Times he was ready to fight. Then, what happens? He steps back, handing over the reins to his buddy Towriss. Apparently, Andretti’s all about not being a roadblock. Feels kinda selfless, yeah?
Anyway, Towriss thinks Andretti’s stepping down opened the floodgates, or something. A few months down the line, Cadillac gets the invite from Formula 1’s big cheese, Stefano Domenicali. Fast forward—Cadillac’s joinin’ as the second U.S. automaker with Ford, which is weirdly ironic considering these are car competitors.
Towriss bears some nostalgia about Andretti stepping back. Keeps talking about what a great legacy the Andrettis have. He’s a tad salty about it too, thinks Andretti got a rough deal but, like, life goes on, right? Blessings were given and the wheels kept turning—literally and metaphorically.
All this isn’t child’s play. Making a Formula 1 team is like herding cats in a rainstorm. If they waited for green lights, they’d still be floundering in the pits. Instead, they’re hiring like pros, setting up house in England and near Indianapolis. Top brass like Pat Symonds and Nick Chester jumped in.
Oh, and there’s this Graeme Lowdon dude, was helping them get their act together. Sold the dream, got people onboard. And now he’s the team principal. Imagine that. Seems surreal, right? Dude even had his mug on licenses for two years. Lived it before it was real.
Despite the madness, they’ve snagged about 350 folks with plans for more. Good ol’ fashioned letter writing even happened when their entry was confirmed. No mass emails here.
For the engine bit, Cadillac’s borrowing Ferrari’s until 2029. G.M.’s got its plans spinning in the background, aiming for some good ol’ American flair. Mark Reuss over at G.M. gets it. Knows it’s no stroll in the park joining F1. Bit of a pride moment, he says, but fully aware that it’s a tough gig.
So, the countdown’s running, and Dan’s out here rallying the troops. Mission’s clear, spirits are high—or maybe everyone’s just had too much coffee. Whatever, it’s happening.
