Mario Andretti refutes one ‘concern’ he keeps hearing about Ferrari’s 2026 F1 car

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Mario Andretti believes Cadillac are “very fortunate” to have the support of Ferrari as the team debuts under the 2026 F1 regulations, despite often hearing one “concern”.

Formula 1 will boast a field of 11 teams and 22 drivers for the first time in a decade in 2026, with General Motors bringing its Cadillac brand to the paddock. Cadillac have signed Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez on multi-year contracts to drive for the team from their first season.

Andretti is a member of the Cadillac board, and the 1978 F1 champion will offer his words of wisdom as the American squad join the paddock. Cadillac will initially compete as an engine customer of Ferrari in 2026, with GM developing a factory engine that should arrive in 2029.

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Mario Andretti has ‘no concern’ that Ferrari’s 2026 F1 rules engine may be worse than Mercedes’

Cadillac are one of the two customer Ferrari engine teams in 2026 alongside their American counterpart, Haas. But there have regularly been concerns that Ferrari’s engine for the 2026 F1 regulations might lack compared to the power unit that particularly Mercedes have built.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about the 2026 F1 engine and aero regulations

Additionally, there are concerns about the reliability of Ferrari’s 2026 F1 rules engine ahead of the first pre-season test in Barcelona on January 26-30. Also, Ferrari think Mercedes have found a loophole in F1’s 2026 engine rules that can be worth three-tenths-of-a-second a lap.

Andretti has zero qualms if Mercedes have found a way to increase their rate of combustion from the 16:1 static requirement that the FIA tests to 18:1 during operation. He also refutes the fears that Ferrari’s engine may be lacking, as they will eventually get on top of the rules.

“Let’s wait and see,” Andretti told GPBlog. “I have all the confidence in the world in Ferrari in that respect. And if they don’t get it right away, they will.

“There’s no concern. I think we’re very fortunate that Ferrari are part of the project as we start. I don’t think we could be in better hands, quite honestly. So, that part, there’s no real concern in that.”

Ferrari’s engine will have a huge say in what success Cadillac achieve in 2026

Valtteri Bottas will score more points than Sergio Perez for Cadillac in 2026 – Change our minds

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Cadillac have a lot to learn about being an F1 team, so they have leaned on Ferrari’s help in more ways than just understanding the 2026 engine regulations. But how well Ferrari have prepared for the 2026 power unit rules will have a huge say in the success Cadillac achieve.

READ MORE: Everything to know about the Cadillac F1 team from team principal to factory

Formula 1 has removed the MGU-H as part of the 2026 power unit regulations to reduce the costs of a modern F1 engine. The 2026 engine rules also feature an increase in the electrical power output from a 20/80 split in favour of the internal combustion engine to up to 50/50.

Mercedes are widely expected to build the best 2026 F1 rules engine, which could put them at the front of the field with their power unit customers McLaren, Williams and Alpine. F1’s new engine regulations are set to be the key performance differentiator in the 2026 season.