What does Andretti International seem like after Michael Andretti took a step again?
It is a query many have contemplated because the staff proprietor stepped down as Chairman and CEO in September, handing the reins off to Group 1001 CEO Dan Towriss. Andretti stays a strategic advisor to the group he co-founded in 2002.
The notion was that it was the final key to unlock the Components 1 door for the Andretti-Cadillac effort, which occurred in late November as Liberty Media permitted Normal Motors because the eleventh staff for 2026. GM, beneath its Cadillac banner, will begin as a buyer staff earlier than making its personal engines by the tip of the last decade, utilizing the prevailing Andretti International mission in Silverstone because the pillar.
Whereas the Cadillac F1 program continues to take form, there’s additionally a give attention to Andretti’s IndyCar department because the 2025 season is a few 46 days away.
Regardless of all the modifications inside Andretti International, Kyle Kirkwood, driver of the No. 27 Honda-powered entry, nonetheless feels the presence of his former staff proprietor and legendary racer.
“We solely see it as positives throughout the staff,” mentioned Kirkwood. “Clearly Michael continues to be round. It is not like he is vanished. I feel he’ll nonetheless play a task within the staff, and for us, clearly I’ve that reference to not solely Michael however with all people on the staff.
“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.”
Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti International Honda
Picture by: Phillip Abbott / Motorsport Pictures
And hopes are excessive for the group after a stout 2024 season in IndyCar, which noticed Colton Herta elevate his sport and seize two wins, six podiums, 11 high fives and three poles en path to a career-best second within the championship standings. For his half, Kirkwood additionally put collectively a good marketing campaign, ending a career-high seventh within the championship 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 staff by ending fifteenth within the total standings.
“I feel with final yr’s outcomes, it gave me much more motivation to work even tougher,” mentioned Ericsson, driver of the No. 28 Honda. “I do not actually — 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 personal luck.
“I simply did not do a ok job final yr, so I wish to ensure that I am higher this yr. I put in lots of work with my psychological coach. We now have weekly periods. 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 observe since we do not have a lot driving within the low season, attempting 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 title. Andretti International haven’t received a title since 2012 with Ryan Hunter-Reay, with Chip Ganassi Racing and Staff Penske combining to seize the final 12 IndyCar championships.
In reflection of what labored on unlocking that subsequent step for the staff, Herta was fast to notice the features made on the brief and medium ovals.
“We have been good on superspeedways for probably the most half, however that was type of the lacking piece for us, particularly if you take a look at the championship for our years that 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 March 2.
“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 type of improved so much on these medium and shorter ovals, and that was type of the distinction maker for us.
“In order that fills me with lots of confidence as a result of I do not suppose our downside has actually ever been the road programs, and for probably the most half we had been excellent at many of the street programs. However these ovals have type of — for me, too, simply have not been my greatest, and I feel they began to indicate that they are often a few of my greatest for this coming yr.”
Colton Herta, Andretti International w/ Curb-Agajanian Honda
Picture by: Geoffrey M. Miller / Motorsport Pictures
And on the subject of the Cadillac F1 program, which Herta has not solely been linked to, but in addition tabbed by 1978 F1 World Champion Mario Andretti, who’s now on the board of GM’s racing program, there isn’t a lot misery over the scenario by the previous.
“Yeah, I do not actually have a priority with it in any respect,” Herta mentioned. “I’ve type of been dragged round on this discuss for, it appears like, half a decade now. I’ve had the carrot in entrance of me for some time.
“I am type of bored with that being the case, and I simply wish to drive at this level and give attention to IndyCar this yr and give attention to successful 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 anyone the place I am going, so it is a huge determination to make if I’ve to make that call.”
Learn Additionally:
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Joey Barnes
IndyCar
Andretti Autosport
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