Andretti Gears Up: New F1 Quest from UK Base

In a decisive move, Andretti ignites F1 aspirations with a new UK base, signaling a firm commitment to joining the elite motorsport by 2028.

Andretti has officially inaugurated a new headquarters in the United Kingdom as preparations continue for a potential entry into Formula 1.

Michael Andretti believes his future team will soon reach a point where its entry into the world championship cannot be denied.

The American team’s registration had been approved by the sport’s governing body, the FIA, last October, but Formula 1’s commercial rights holders rejected the bid for 2025 or 2026.

However, Formula 1 has left the door open for an entry starting from 2028, when General Motors will be able to produce its own engine for Andretti.

Despite the rejection, Andretti continues to pursue his project and opened a new British base at Silverstone on Wednesday.

“We are still working with FOM and we will show that we bring a lot to the party,” Michael Andretti shared from his new premises.

“General Motors also wants to be at the party. They are not just coming to be in F1; they are coming to be a significant part of our team, and I think the importance of this has not yet been fully understood.”

“I believe that once everyone understands what we are actually setting up, they will no longer be able to say no.”

Andretti, who is leading the project with his father Mario, the 1978 F1 world champion, added: “They are currently building an engine. They are already registered with the FIA to do so.”

“So, we will have an engine in 2028, but obviously, we need to build everything else to get there. Arriving all at once in 2028 with a new engine and no team is not in our plans. We need two years to build the project. We will reach the point where when we have our own engine, the team will be ready and competitive.”

“We are in no way naive.”

The 10 existing F1 teams have made it clear they are not in favor of Andretti’s entry as it would dilute their revenue and value.

“We believe we will not dilute the common pot, we feel that we will contribute to increasing it, and when the pot grows, then everyone will share more. It has been somewhat frustrating to face this initial rejection but we will get our message across so that the door that remains open for the future will be walked through.”