Mario Andretti doesn’t hide his admiration for Charles Leclerc and even dreams of seeing him join Cadillac.
As Cadillac prepares to enter F1, Andretti hopes Leclerc will become part of the project he supports. An ambitious wish, but one that shows the Monégasque’s prominence in the paddock today. Will the 1978 world champion ever see this dream come true?
Why does Andretti want Charles Leclerc at Cadillac?
Andretti is now a consultant and board member of Cadillac F1. He spoke at the Milan Sports Festival and made headlines worldwide. “I’m a big fan of Leclerc; if he ever wanted to change teams, I’d take him to Cadillac immediately,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
A driver admired across the paddock
Andretti has always loved Scuderia Ferrari. After all, he raced for them himself in the early 1980s. But with Ferrari struggling recently, he believes Leclerc deserves more, namely Cadillac. “He can win races, and if he can do that, he can also win a championship with the right car.”
For Andretti, the Monégasque’s talent is undeniable. Leclerc is one of the few capable of challenging Max Verstappen. But of course, success requires the perfect conditions.
Combining the Cadillac project with Leclerc’s talent
Cadillac enters F1 in 2026 with Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez, who will provide experience while the team develops a competitive car. Andretti hopes that once the car reaches the necessary level, it could become a credible option for attracting a driver like Leclerc.
“We must earn the right to have such talent,” he emphasized. With these words, he then acknowledged that Leclerc won’t join a new team without performance guarantees.
Could this dream become reality?
Leclerc is under contract with Ferrari until 2029, firmly tied to Maranello. Seeing him at Cadillac may seem impossible, given his attachment to the Prancing Horse and his ambition to win a world title with Ferrari. Still, the 2027 transfer market could shake things up.
Could Leclerc consider Cadillac?
Leclerc is experiencing a frustrating season, with no wins despite several podiums and consistent performances. This might one day push him to explore new opportunities. His team remains cautious, but his manager recently noted that the driver market will heat up in two years. They mostly cited new technical regulations that could change the landscape.
Cadillac, an ambitious American project
Cadillac’s F1 entry marks a new era of American presence on the grid. This follows the rise of Haas and the sport’s growing popularity in the U.S. Supported by General Motors, the team is based in Silverstone and aims to compete with the top teams by the decade’s end.
For Andretti, a driver like Charles Leclerc would be a huge asset for Cadillac. He embodies performance, prestige, as well as international vision. “Ferrari will always be Ferrari,” he says, “but one day, Charles might want a new challenge.”