By Joe Murphy
This is, arguably, the biggest sign yet that Formula 1 is set to have 11 teams from the season after next. Michael Andretti, determined as ever to bring his own constructor to the elite of motorsport, has made a marquee signing in his efforts to set a benchmark for a future in F1.
At the recent Miami Grand Prix, Andretti could be seen on the grid, seemingly quietly confident and clearly ready to go in terms of getting on the grid from 2026.
Pat Symonds was already set to leave his position as F1’s chief technical officer after seven years in the job and now he joins Andretti’s company with more than an eye on a future involving Formula 1. He played a crucial role in contributing to and changing F1’s technical regulations from 2022 and up until 2026. With the chassis rules for 2026 confirmed, Symonds has decided to leave the organisation for a move to a different branch of the sport.
It has now emerged that Andretti Global will employ Symonds’s as the new Executive Engineering Consultant. In other words, he will be based in the team’s brand new UK base in Silverstone, naturally following a gardening leave period.
Andretti released a statement on Wednesday morning. “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Pat to the Andretti family. Pat’s keen understanding of aerodynamics, vehicle dynamics and Formula 1 power units will be instrumental as we continue to build a competitive team. I believe his expertise has been pivotal in shaping the narrative of Formula 1 and his vote of confidence in joining our effort speaks volumes. I’m really happy with this next step as our work continues at pace.”
This is a huge statement of intent. Andretti has already signed former Benetton and Renault colleague Nick Chester, who heads up the engineering team as Andretti Cadillac’s technical director. It appears as if the foundations of a really knowledgeable and experienced team, are currently being laid.
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