Andretti will have a new structure for the 2025 IndyCar season after it was revealed that Michael Andretti has handed control of the team over to business partner Dan Towriss.
The American, who founded the team in 2002, sold part of the organisation to Towriss in early 2023, who already sponsored two of the three cars.
He owns Gainbridge – the company that sponsors Colton Herta’s number 26 entry to the series, and has done since 2021.
Herta finished second in the drivers’ standings this year, and will be hoping to go one further under Andretti’s new structure in 2025.
Dan Towriss says restructure is not ‘super interesting’
Michael himself will be staying on as an advisor to the program, but it’s unknown where this leaves their efforts to join the Formula 1 grid.
Speaking to the Associated Press about the development, Towriss cleared up speculation regarding Andretti’s stake in the team.
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“We didn’t say that he doesn’t own our team,” he said. “There’s all kinds of speculation. We certainly have restructured the ownership. Michael still has a financial interest.
“This got leaked in a way that put us on our back foot in terms of responding to things. People are going to always look to try to fill a vacuum with stories that sound great and are super interesting.
“This one is not super interesting. Michael said this was a time to take on a different role from the daily grind.”
What are the next steps for Andretti?
Andretti have already confirmed their IndyCar driver line-up for 225, but they do support three other drivers.
Both of the late Dan Wheldon’s sons, as well as Jamie Chadwick are supported by them, with the latter set to complete an IndyCar test for them this week.
Chadwick won one race in Indy NXT this year, and is considered to bet he best shot that IndyCar has at having a female driver in the near future.
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But winning it atop their priorities, and that’s something they failed to do enough of in 2024, falling short of the championship by 31 points.
They will need to have a strong offseason to ensure that they come out firing early next season, and are a threat to their rivals Chip Ganassi and Team Penske.