The Cadillac Formula 1 Team has announced that its debut car in Formula 1 will carry the name MAC-26, short for Mario Andretti Cadillac 26.

The team says the name reflects Andretti’s influence on the project and sets the tone for its competitive goals. As the 1978 world champion, Andretti remains one of the most respected figures in American motorsport. By choosing MAC-26, the team links its future ambitions with a legacy of success at the highest level of racing.

“Naming our first chassis MAC-26 reflects the spirit Mario carried into Formula 1 and the belief that an American team belongs on this stage. His story embodies the American dream and inspires how we approach building this team every day,” said Dan Towriss, CEO of Cadillac Formula 1 Team.

“Mario Andretti is a legend of Formula 1. A true racer who knows how to win and push the limits of what is possible. But more than that, he is an incredible man with a gentle heart who believes in everyone’s ability to shape their own path. At the start of my own journey with the team, he asked me not to let him down – I hope that he will be proud to see the Cadillac Formula 1 Team car bearing his name finally take to the grid,” said Graeme Lowdon, Team Principal of Cadillac Formula 1 Team.

Mario Andretti added: "Racing has been the joy of my life. It is the ultimate compliment that the Cadillac Formula 1 Team sees those years as meaningful and worthy of recording with this honor. I cherish the opportunity that it gives me to have a lasting bond with F1 and am genuinely appreciative of everyone who continues to acknowledge my part in racing history.”