F1 legend drops two-word response to Mario Andretti joining General Motors as board director
Former F1 world champion Damon Hill reacted after Mario Andretti joined General Motors as a director on the board for the 2026 season. The American automotive giants would become the 11th team on the grid after F1 agreed in principle to have them enter the sport in the first year of new engine regulations.
General Motors have been trying to get a grid spot in the past couple of years with their partner Andretti Global but their bid was rejected after F1 teams and Formula One Management believed that they would not be bringing any additional value.
However, after it was recently announced that Michael Andretti would be stepping back from his role and not be involved in "day-to-day" operations, the possibility of a major brand General Motors became a possibility.
The GM/Cadillac team in association with TWG Global company, which owns Andretti Global, would be representing the American team. They also announced that former F1 world champion Mario Andretti would join them in a non-executive role, which the American revealed on his social media platform, X, saying:
"I feel very lucky that I've been able to stick around for this long and do what I love for so long. And the idea that the Cadillac F1 Team wants me around... I'll help where I can, a non-executive role with the team, not involved in day-to-day operations (because I don't want a job), but offering advice, inspiration, friendship anywhere I can. I am beyond fortunate."
Post the announcement, 1996 world champion Damon Hill on his Instagram Stories welcomed Andretti back to the sport with two words:
"Welcome back."
Mario Andretti chimes in on his new role with GM in F1
Former F1 world champion Mario Andretti stated that the GM/Cadillac would look to "tap in" on his experience of racing at the pinnacle of motorsport in their initial stages.
Speaking with NBC, the 84-year-old said:
"Basically that. Obviously, they tried to tap off of my experience and what I see — a selection of driver talents and even technical talents. The sport is my family. I continuously have been involved in a lot of that, and it continues. And that’s it.
"I don’t want a specific job per se, where I have to punch in every day. I don’t need and want that. But I welcome the opportunity to definitely be part of a lot of key decisions. This is my rodeo."
Mario Andretti further spoke about the earlier rejected bid and claimed that he could not "put your finger on it" on the reasons behind it but believed that "all of that is behind us. We just look forward now. It’s happened, and it’s happened properly."