Andretti's F1 dream in danger: teams fear value dilution
Jan.20 - Formula 1 only has "a couple of months" to open the door to a new Andretti-Cadillac team in 2025 or 2026.
That is the claim of 1978 world champion Mario, whose son Michael - who also raced in F1 - is bidding to bring his Andretti Autosport empire into the sport with General Motors' backing.
However, while FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem is keen, the bid is facing major opposition from existing teams who fear a dilution of their value and official income.
New to build Mario Andretti factory
It means that, for the moment, the Andretti bid has the brakes on.
"The truth is that we are going on structuring the team day by day, as though there was already a green light from the federation," Mario Andretti, 82, told the Italian magazine Autosprint.
"A program like this is very complex so we need to keep moving, even if it's not at maximum speed. To put key names under contract, we need certainties, so from that point of view we are still on standby," he added.
When asked how long that 'standby' period can last before Andretti needs to call off the entire program, Mario answered: "Let's say that we could reasonably have an answer within a couple of months.
"But it is also true that, at this point, every day counts. Let's wait and see, but we are now in the decisive phase."
Andretti confirms that his son's bid has had the support of FIA president ben Sulayem "from the very first moment".
"It was he who advised us to find a partnership with a great manufacturer to give more strength, bite and depth to our F1 program," he said.
"From there came the union with Cadillac, which means a commonality of intent with General Motors."
Mario Andretti also scoffed at the existing teams' arguments about why F1 should think twice about allowing eleventh and twelfth entries to race.
"Money, money ... but what money?" said the Italian-born American. "How much do the annual earnings of a big team drop if we come along?
"In a situation of exponential growth for F1, to see an American-based team with an identity deeply rooted in the racing world would only be something extremely positive for everyone," Andretti insists.
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The Andretti’s belong in F1.
Mario and Michael were + are fierce
competitors and will bring even more ‘eyes’
to F-1 television.
F-1 needs an all American team.
America needs a competitive F1 team. Hass, whole slowly improving, is still not competitive. A team with GM support and backing could be very competitive. The problem however is that GM might stop support without seeing immediate results. One can only hope that they would support a F1 team over the long term.
.....and so it goes. Previous WDC, excellent team pedigree, GM backing, available financing, and the boys club doesn't want them in the smoking lounge. To reiterate, I am not a Andretti fan, but this whole thing is ludicrous. Methinks that the bullies fear a bloody nose.
whats the limit on indy car teams , i know they aren't controlled by fia rules and regs, but can a lets say British team just say Right we are going to set up a team for indy racing?
Don't know the answer, Shrop'. I will do some digging, or perhaps some other reader knows. Penke owns the series and he is a pretty straight shooter.
Shrop', Indycar LLC (Penske Enterprises) is self-sanctioning through ACCUS with FIA recognition. If you've got a chassis and engine, bring it. One car, six cars (Andretti), flatbed truck, hauler and motorhome, pay the entry fee and bring it. Yes, elaborate rules but if Roger says it's OK, bring it. So, if you want to come on over I'll call Roger and put in a good word. Bring it.
Interestingly, young Michael has been squeaking for a franchise system for several year. I wonder how he feels now.
Time the FIA took back control of F1, and stopped allowing themselves to be dictated to by the likes of Toto Wolf and others.
Ror i've had a word with my backers, the UK government(pre bankruptcy proceedings ) and they say its a go, provided we can get Sir Lewis on board , so call Roger and lets go racing.............
Shrop', you might have a tough time with Lewie. Avg driver's salary is just $750k and the highest is $3m. Hook him up first and then I'll call Roger. Maybe you can get a Brit nappy mfg to kick in a personal services contract.
Ha so i’ts Sir Lewis now is it Strop. Now that you need him and ROR you should know that AII Sir Lewis’s clothing is tied up with designer brand for years to come..
Fair enough, fair enough, my accountants have looked at Sir Lewis and say they'll only pay the true market value for him , so i thought wed be fine as its quite low these days , got a few sponsors lined up Wet Blanket Ltd and a nowin/nofee back injury4compensation law firm, they are very keen after seeing Sir Lewis in action , and yes personal services, although I wouldn't want to upset Blondie, all her times precious wiping Sir Lewises Arse 24/7 .
Blo , its always been Sir Lewis,one cannot fail to be in awe of his manipulation , whining and "its because Im black right attitude " he deserves his title for these alone, although he was properly schooled by Rb in the manipulation stakes.
No Blo I don't need Sir Lewis, No one needs Sir Lewis, plenty of worthy British drivers to replace him, I just thought , the guy looks like he needs some help, And as he lives in America, he may as well race , with him being finished in F1, OR is that F1 is finished with him , either way I was just trying to help
Stroppo you’re all heart and human kindness. I’m so impressed, I obviously badly misjudged you.
I'm not sure that GM really are serious about becoming involved with F1, considering CEO Barra recently revealed she has set a path to end it's ICE vehicle lineup in lieu of EV vehicles in 2028! Are they expecting F1 to change course and be all electric?
Why would they use an ICE powered test bed for EV powered vehicles?
Smokey to answer your Question http://www.formula1.com
latest .more-efficient-less-fuel-and-carbon-net-zero-7-things-you-need-to-know-about
No Im not happy about it either
Maybe GM are hedging their bets, a lot can happen between now and 2028. It could well be that ICE overall throughout its lifespan, manufacture, use, new fuels, scrappage, turns out to be cleaner than E.
Then there is the extra generating capacity that will be needed and the carbon cost of doing that. Thousands if not billions of tons of concrete and steel world wide.
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