The new-look Andretti Global takes shape

What does Andretti International seem like after Michael Andretti took a step again?

That has been the query many have puzzled ever since Andretti, 62, stepped down as Chairman and CEO in September, handing the reins off to Group 1001 CEO Dan Towriss whereas changing into strategic advisor of the organisation he co-founded in 2002.

The notion was that it was the final key to unlock the Formulation 1 door for the Andretti-Cadillac effort, which occurred in late November as Liberty Media approved General Motors as the 11th team from 2026. GM, below its Cadillac banner, will begin as a buyer crew earlier than making its own power units by the end of the decade, utilizing the prevailing Andretti International venture in Silverstone because the pillar.

Whereas the Cadillac F1 programme continues to take form, there may be additionally a give attention to Andretti’s IndyCar department forward of the forthcoming 2025 marketing campaign.

Regardless of the entire modifications inside Andretti International, Kyle Kirkwood, driver of the No. 27 Honda-powered entry, nonetheless feels the presence of his former crew proprietor and legendary racer.

“We solely see it as positives throughout the crew,” mentioned Kirkwood. “Clearly Michael remains to be round. It is not like he is vanished. I feel he’ll nonetheless play a task within the crew, and for us, clearly I’ve that reference to not solely Michael however with all people on the crew.

“We’re excited to go ahead, and clearly Dan and Michael have a plan, and their plan appears to be coming collectively, so we’re excited.”

And hopes are excessive for the organisation after a stout 2024 season, which noticed Colton Herta elevate his recreation and seize two wins, six podiums, 11 high fives and three poles en path to a career-best second within the championship.

For his half, Kirkwood additionally put collectively a good marketing campaign, ending a career-high seventh within the standings courtesy of 1 podium, 5 high fives, 13 high 10s and one pole. Marcus Ericsson, the 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner, was an outlier among the many trio, struggling an underwhelming first yr with the crew by ending fifteenth within the championship. 

“I feel with final yr’s outcomes, it gave me much more motivation to work even more durable,” mentioned Ericsson, driver of the No. 28 Honda. “I am not a believer in dangerous luck. Lots of people would say to me ‘sorry for final yr, dangerous luck’. I do not actually imagine in that. I feel you make your individual luck.

“I simply did not do a ok job final yr, so I wish to be certain I am higher this yr. I put in lots of work with my psychological coach. We’ve got weekly classes. I placed on 10 kilos of muscle on my bodily standing.

“I am stronger than I’ve ever been earlier than and I’ve began working doing simulator work alone, so I am driving simulators nearly every day simply to apply that since we do not have a lot driving within the low season, making an attempt to finesse my craft within the simulators.”

Though Herta introduced again the bravado of Andretti in 2024, he acknowledged that it “actually sucks” to complete second – solely 31 factors brief – to Alex Palou for the championship. Andretti International has not gained a title since 2012 with Ryan Hunter-Reay, as Chip Ganassi Racing and Team Penske have captured the final 12 IndyCar crowns. 

In reflection of what labored to unlock that subsequent step for the crew, Herta was fast to notice the positive aspects made on the brief and medium ovals.

Colton Herta, Andretti International w/ Curb-Agajanian Honda

Picture by: Geoffrey M. Miller / Motorsport Photographs

“We have been good on superspeedways for probably the most half, however that was form of the lacking piece for us, particularly once you take a look at the championship – we dropped lots of factors in these locations,” mentioned Herta, who will make his a centesimal IndyCar begin within the season-opening Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on 2 March. 

“However we turned it round having a podium and principally a high 5 in Milwaukee and a pole in Iowa. [At] Gateway, we got here from twenty fifth to fourth and the win in Nashville. We improved so much on these medium and shorter ovals, and that was form of the distinction maker for us.

“In order that fills me with lots of confidence as a result of I do not assume our drawback has actually ever been the road programs, and for probably the most half we have been superb at many of the street programs. However these ovals have form of — for me, too, simply have not been my greatest, and I feel they began to point out that they are often a few of my greatest for this coming yr.”

And relating to Cadillac F1, which Herta has not only been linked to but also tabbed by 1978 F1 world champion Mario Andretti, who’s now on the board of GM’s racing programme, there isn’t a lot misery over the state of affairs by the 24-year-old.

“Yeah, I do not actually have a priority with it in any respect,” Herta mentioned. “I’ve form of been dragged round on this speak for, it seems like, half a decade now. I’ve had the carrot in entrance of me for some time.

“I am form of uninterested in that being the case, and I simply wish to drive at this level and give attention to IndyCar this yr and give attention to profitable a championship, and if one thing arises out of that, I would have to consider it. It is nonetheless not a for certain factor. 

“All my family and friends are right here within the U.S., and I do not know the place I am going, so it is a huge resolution to make if I’ve to make that call.”