Michael Andretti says opposition to Formula 1 entry is ‘a mystery’ and team has ‘right to be on grid’
Michael Andretti spoke exclusively to Sky Sports F1 after his team’s bid to enter Formula 1 was approved by the FIA earlier in October; watch qualifying for Sunday’s Grand Prix tonight at 10pm on Sky Sports F1, with build-up from 9pm, ahead of sprint Saturday in Austin
Last updated: 10/20/23 8:29 PM
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Michael Andretti believes his team, Andretti Autosport, can bring more to Formula 1 as he aims to enter the sport by 2025
Michael Andretti believes his team, Andretti Autosport, can bring more to Formula 1 as he aims to enter the sport by 2025
Michael Andretti says the opposition to his team’s future entry into Formula 1 is “a mystery” and that they have “the right to be on the grid” after receiving FIA approval.
Earlier in October, Andretti was approved by the sport’s governing body to become a new eleventh team, but will now have to agree terms with the incumbent teams and FOM, F1’s commercial rights operators.
Most team leaders have repeatedly opposed Andretti’s participation, with current squads suggesting the US team will not add enough additional value to the sport to justify the percentage of revenue they would take away from the current split.
“Thank you to the FIA and the President of the FIA for putting out the expression of interest,” Andretti said Sky Sports F1 during the United States Grand Prix in Austin on Friday.
“It was very powerful, it was a very tough task for our team and I can proudly say that we came out on top in every category, and we are very proud of that.
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FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem believes the addition of the Andretti team to F1 would improve the sport
“It definitely shows that we have a right to be here on the grid, and we are excited about that.
“We think we really have something to offer Formula 1 fans.”
‘Hopefully we bring in more than we take away’
The 12-team limit in F1 through the 2025 season, as set out in the current Concorde Agreement, the document that binds together the sport’s rules and governance, has prompted the FIA to consider the addition of at least one team to request.
Former US driver Andretti, who won the US CART Championship and had a brief stint in F1 with McLaren in the 1990s, is at the forefront of his team’s bid, which races in other motorsport disciplines in partnership with General Motors brand Cadillac.
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The drivers have had their say on the prospect of the Andretti team gaining entry into the sport, after the FIA approved the American team’s bid to join
Asked about the stern opposition expressed by the current teams, Andretti added: “I don’t know. In some ways it’s beyond me why they’re pushing back.
“They say we’re cutting the pie, but I think the point is that hopefully we’re bringing in more than we’re taking away, and we really believe that.
“If you look at the fan support on all the surveys that have been done, we think we’re going to increase it and not take it away.”
Wind tunnel time planned with the 2025 target in mind
Andretti said the team remains focused on an F1 entry in 2025, and their preparations include building a 2023-spec car, which they will test in a wind tunnel next week.
“Right now we’re still targeting 2025,” Andretti said.
“Our car is actually going to be in a wind tunnel next week, so we have already built up a car in 2023 specification.
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Aston Martin CEO Lawrence Stroll says he is against Andretti joining Formula 1, insisting the sport is ‘on fire’ with its current 10 teams
“We are full, we are building a team. Right now it is 2025, it could be 2026, but we will see.”
Andretti’s legendary father Mario, the 1978 F1 world champion, is also involved in the project and said the sport’s status as “the Olympics of motorsport” drives the family’s ambition.
“Motor racing has been our life,” he said.
“I am so proud of Michael for his ambition to be present in all major disciplines. That’s it, that’s how we make a living. I have raised my family with car racing from day one, and that is how we will continue to do it.
“This is our life, so we want to be at the top. Formula 1 is the Olympic Games of motorsport, so that’s where we want to be.”
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