Cadillac driver Sergio Perez of Mexico waits in his car during a Formula One pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

SILVERSTONE, England — Cadillac is naming its first Formula 1 car in honor of 1978 champion Mario Andretti, who calls it the “ultimate compliment” ahead of the team’s inaugural race next week at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

F1’s new 11th team announced on Friday its car will be the MAC-26, short for Mario Andretti Cadillac, for the most recent American F1 champion.

“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,” said Dan Towriss, chief executive of Cadillac Formula 1 Team Holdings.

“His story embodies the American dream and inspires how we approach building this team every day.”

Andretti is an ambassador for the General Motors-backed Cadillac team, whose F1 entry originated with a bid fronted by his son Michael under the Andretti Global name.

Fight settled

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Alex Palou and Chip Ganassi Racing settled the four-time IndyCar champion’s breach of contract dispute with McLaren Racing, and the Spanish driver acknowledged Friday he mishandled the situation.

Palou in January was ordered by London’s High Court to pay McLaren more than $12 million after a five-week trial in which McLaren proved he backed out of two different deals with the racing team.

The team was initially seeking closer to $30 million and said after the ruling it would still pursue legal fees from Palou.

“I’m happy to confirm that we have reached a final settlement with McLaren Racing following a UK judge ruling in January,” Ganassi said ahead of the first practice of the IndyCar season.

“I cannot condone what happened and I’m glad the matter is over. With the benefit of hindsight, I hope Alex has learned it’s important to keep good people around him, which he now does, so the events of 2023 are never repeated.”

Decision delayed

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A federal judge did not issue a ruling Friday on whether to impose a temporary restraining order that would prevent former Joe Gibbs Racing competition director Chris Gabehart from working for rival NASCAR team Spire Motorsports.

Susan C Rodriguez, a U.S. District Court Judge for the Western District of North Carolina, said attorneys who represent JGR, Gabehart and Spire have until Sunday night to potentially come up with a resolution that works for all sides.

If they cannot, she said she will make her ruling in court on Monday.

In the meantime, Gabehart will be allowed to work for Spire this weekend.