Mario Andretti: Cadillac F1 Team wants me around

What started as an Andretti family project morphed into a General Motors F1 project through their flagship brand, Cadillac.

Andretti Global, led by Michael Andretti, was given the green light by Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, to become the 11th team in the sport, but Formula One Management denied them the entry, claiming they would not add value nor be competitive.

Several months later, many changes took place. Michael Andretti stepped down from his executive role at Andretti Global, handing over the reins to his partner Dan Towriss.

Liberty Media came under investigation from the United States House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, not to mention that Liberty CEO Greg Maffei stepped down.

All these changes seemed to have led to the acceptance of GM/Cadillac as an 11th F1 entrant while Andretti Global remains involved through its parent company, TWG Global.

Motorsport.com quoted a source at GM that 1978 F1 champion, Mario Andretti, will be appointed as a director on the board of the GM/Cadillac F1 Team but will "not involved in day-to-day operations".

Andretti Sr took to social media to say: "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.

"My first love was Formula 1," Andretti added, "and now—70 years later—the F1 paddock is still my happy place.

"I’m absolutely thrilled with Cadillac, Formula 1, Mark Walter, and Dan Towriss. To still be involved at this stage of my life— have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming," the 84-year-old concluded.