OPENING a new 48,000 sq ft facility at Silverstone Park is the next stage in motor racing team Andretti Global’s bid to enter the FIA Formula One World Championship.
The company officially opened its premises – constructed by Silverstone Park developer MEPC as part of its ongoing development of the park – in May.
The facility will house manufacturing, electronics, R&D, office and meeting activity. It will work hand in hand with Andretti Group’s main site in Indiana, USA, and its Formula E facility in Banbury.
Andretti Global has well-publicised ambitions of joining the F1 grid in the next few years. It has already moved its existing UK workforce of 80 staff into the new facility.
“It is an independent property in its own name with the possibility to scale up activities as the situation evolves,” the company said in a statement.
“Our preparations began some time ago with a focus on critical activities such as assembling key staff and focusing on long lead-time activities including aerodynamic design, mechanical design and vehicle dynamics.”
The facility will be completed in phases according to commercial and sporting needs and workforce requirements, the statement added.
“We have said that our work continues at pace – this new facility embodies that work. While we are building an American works team, having a European base is a great way to attract the best in F1 talent and install state-of-the-art machinery.”
Andretti Global is headed by former US CART racing champion Michael Andretti, son of 1978 FIA F1 world champion Mario Andretti. It brings together the F1 project that is currently split between Silverstone, Indiana and the GM Tech Center in North Carolina.
