Andretti lands former Renault F1 engine tech chief Rob White

Andretti Cadillac’s push to join the Formula 1 grid has received another boost with the signing of respected engineer Rob White as its new chief operating officer.

White is well known in F1 circles for his lengthy tenure at Renault, where he acted as engine technical director and then subsequently deputy managing director of the manufacturer's engine operations from 2004 until 2016.

He helped play a part in the French brand’s title success with its own factory team in 2005 and 2006, plus the glory years with Red Bull as it captured F1 championship doubles from 2010 until 2013.

More recently White was operations director at the Renault/Alpine team in Enstone, but he left in June this year as part of a restructuring that the organisation was going through under its then team principal Bruno Famin.

With Andretti on a recruitment drive to bring in the best talent on the market, White’s huge knowledge of F1 operations has made him a perfect fit to help the squad as progress appears to be inching forward in securing a space on the F1 grid.

Announcing his appointment on LinkedIn, White said: “I’m happy to share that I have just started as Chief Operating Officer - Andretti Cadillac at Andretti Global.

“Excited to join the team. Massively impressive first impressions of everything accomplished by those who joined before me. Relishing the challenge of all that lies ahead.”

White’s arrival at Andretti will see him re-united with several of his former Renault colleagues, including technical director Nick Chester, head of aerodynamics Jon Tomlinson, and Pat Symonds, who is set to join soon as executive engineering consultant.

As reported by Motorsport.com last weekend, Andretti’s efforts with GM/Cadillac to get a green light to join F1 are advancing and it has been suggested it could get the nod for 2026.

Talks between F1 officials and GM are understood to have been more positive in recent weeks, especially in the wake of Michael Andretti’s recent decision to step down as the figurehead for his eponymous team.

Michael Andretti, Mario Andretti, Dan Towriss, Andretti Global

Photo by: Andretti

In September, Andretti handed the reins of Andretti Global to majority owner Dan Towriss, the CEO of Group 1001, who first teamed up with Andretti through sponsorship by the groups' subsidiary Gainbridge.

Towriss was spotted last weekend in the Las Vegas Grand Prix paddock, where it is understood further discussions took place with F1 about what an entry by Andretti and GM could look like.

Although GM will not be able to have its own engine ready until 2028, it has been suggested the squad could tie up with Ferrari to start with from 2026.