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Transition at Andretti Global: What Lies Ahead After Michael Andretti Steps Back

The recent transition at Andretti Global, marked by Michael Andretti’s move to step down as Chairman and CEO, has sparked considerable interest among motorsport enthusiasts and industry analysts alike. In September, Andretti entrusted the leadership to Dan Towriss, the CEO of Group 1001, while continuing to serve as a strategic advisor to the organization he co-founded in 2002.

This leadership change was perceived by many as a significant step towards solidifying the Andretti-Cadillac bid in Formula 1, recently boosted by Liberty Media’s approval of General Motors as an 11th team set to compete beginning in 2026. Under Cadillac’s banner, GM is expected to launch as a customer team initially, with plans to develop its own engines by the decade’s end, leveraging the existing framework of the Andretti Global project located in Silverstone.

As the Cadillac F1 project progresses, attention is also turning towards Andretti’s IndyCar operations, with just 46 days remaining until the start of the 2025 season.

Despite the structural changes at Andretti Global, Kyle Kirkwood, who drives the No. 27 Honda-powered vehicle, expressed optimism about the future and reassured the team’s dedication. He noted that Michael Andretti’s presence is still felt strongly within the organization. “We only see it as positives within the team,” Kirkwood stated. “Obviously, Michael is still around. It’s not like he’s vanished. I think he’ll still play a role in the team, and for us, obviously, I have that connection with not only Michael but with everybody on the team. We’re excited to go forward, and obviously Dan and Michael have a plan, and their plan seems to be coming together, so we’re excited.”

And indeed, there are high expectations following a successful 2024 IndyCar season for the team, during which Colton Herta performed exceptionally, achieving two victories, six podium finishes, eleven top-five placements, and three pole positions, culminating in a career-best second place in the championship standings. Kirkwood also had a commendable season, finishing seventh overall, highlighted by one podium, five top fives, and thirteen top tens. However, Marcus Ericsson, the 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner, faced a challenging year, ending up in 15th place in the standings.

Reflecting on his less-than-stellar performance, Ericsson emphasized personal accountability: “I think with last year’s results, it gave me even more motivation to work even harder. I don’t really — I’m not a believer in bad luck. A lot of people would say to me, ‘Sorry for last year, bad luck.’ I don’t really believe in that. I think you make your own luck,” he said. He added that he had invested time in improving himself, collaborating with a mental trainer, strengthening his physical fitness, and engaging in regular simulator practice to refine his skills.

While Herta’s performance rekindled enthusiasm among fans and the team, he candidly expressed disappointment in finishing second, just 31 points away from the championship title, which has eluded Andretti Global since Ryan Hunter-Reay’s victory in 2012. The dominance in recent years by competitors Chip Ganassi Racing and Team Penske, who have clinched the last 12 championships, only amplifies the pressure on Andretti.

In assessing the team’s competitive edge, Herta pointed to improvements during races on short and medium ovals as critical to their success. “We’ve been good on superspeedways for the most part, but that was kind of the missing piece for us, especially when you look at the championship for our years that we dropped a lot of points in those places,” he explained. Herta’s upcoming 100th IndyCar start will be at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 2, marking a significant milestone in his career.

Regarding the Cadillac F1 initiative, Herta has remained optimistic despite the uncertainties. “Yeah, I don’t really have a concern with it at all,” he mentioned. Herta conveyed his desire to focus on his current commitments in IndyCar, stating, “I’ve kind of been dragged around in this talk for, it feels like, half a decade now. I’ve had the carrot in front of me for a while. I’m kind of tired of that being the case, and I just want to drive at this point and focus on IndyCar this year and focus on winning a championship.”

As Andretti Global navigates this transitional phase, the motorsport community eagerly anticipates how the organization’s strategic evolution and renewed focus will translate on the racetrack.

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