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Mercedes and Aston Martin face new rival bid to land Max Verstappen
Mercedes and Aston Martin may face new competition in their efforts to sign Max Verstappen as Mario Andretti expressed interest in the Dutch driver joining the Cadillac F1 team for its debut in 2026.
Cadillac, in partnership with General Motors, has secured preliminary approval to join Formula 1 as the 11th team in the 2026 season, with Andretti, the 1978 F1 World Champion, set to take on a non-executive advisory role.
Andretti emphasized the importance of having an experienced and talented driver like Verstappen to lead the team in its inaugural season.
He gave a resounding “yes” when asked by GPblog whether Verstappen would be an ideal candidate for Cadillac, highlighting his exceptional skill and success.
Verstappen, who recently clinched his fourth consecutive World Championship during the Las Vegas Grand Prix, remains under contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2028 season.
Despite this, rumors persist about other teams potentially vying for his services when Formula 1’s new regulations come into effect in 2026.
Andretti praised Verstappen’s performance in 2023, describing him as a “special talent” who has proven instrumental in extracting maximum performance from his car.
Andretti also noted that Verstappen’s ability to outshine his teammate consistently demonstrates his unique abilities as a driver.
According to Andretti, Verstappen’s achievements are even more remarkable given the competitive challenges of the season.
While Cadillac is keen on Verstappen, it also aims to field an American driver, potentially IndyCar standout Colton Herta, alongside him.
Cadillac’s arrival will mark an expansion of the grid to 22 cars, coinciding with Audi’s full takeover of Sauber in 2026.
Meanwhile, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner addressed Verstappen’s future with the team, emphasizing the strong trust between the driver and the team.
Horner stated that Red Bull’s priority is to provide Verstappen with championship-winning machinery, acknowledging the challenges ahead in maintaining their dominance.
Horner expressed confidence that Verstappen would remain a title contender in 2024, provided Red Bull delivers a competitive car.
He also noted that the lessons learned from the 2023 season will help the team continue to improve.
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