Days before a pivotal F1 meeting in Miami, Mario Andretti challenges the sport’s rejection of his team’s entry.
Days before a key meeting with Formula 1, Mario Andretti admits to being “offended” by how the sport defended its decision to block his team’s debut as the eleventh team authorized by the FIA.
Andretti F1, supported by General Motors, is actually led by Michael, the son of 1978 world champion, whose initial plan was to create a new F1 team by 2025.
The FIA had greenlit the project, but delays by the commercial owner of F1, Formula One Management – owned by Liberty Media – pushed possible debuts to 2026.
Ultimately, however, FOM simply said no – telling Andretti that he would have to wait at least until 2028, when GM could provide a factory Cadillac engine.
“Actually, I was offended,” Mario Andretti told the Associated Press, referring to how F1 defended its rejection by arguing that the Andretti name wouldn’t bring much to F1 and would struggle to be competitive.
“I don’t think we deserved that, to be honest with you. It’s a big investment in the series, and you would think they would appreciate it. Even the value of the series is more valuable with 11 teams than 10, so I don’t understand.”
“So I told them, ‘Tell us what is really wrong.'”
While F1 rejected Andretti’s bid, he said that FOM then tried to link GM and Cadillac with an existing team.
“That’s another offensive attempt. It’s us who managed to find a solution, and GM has repeated it many times: ‘Andretti or nothing.’ And then they still tried to accept them but without us.”
“There’s an underlying intent that I honestly don’t understand, but if they want a fight, well, I’m ready.”
Andretti recently revealed that F1 agreed to meet with the team’s main players in the coming weeks. This meeting will finally take place on the sidelines of the upcoming Miami Grand Prix.
“We’ve only had one meeting with them. That’s a problem. We haven’t had enough. I think that’s why I’m really looking forward to our next meeting.”
In the meantime, Andretti Global has unveiled a new facility dedicated to F1 at Silverstone Park (UK) and has an operational scale model in a wind tunnel.
“We are trying to tell the world and F1 that ‘we will do whatever you ask of us. Now, if you think of something else, let us know.’ The team is even ready to field Formula 2 and Formula 3 teams.”
“We’ve gone all in, and I don’t know what else to do.”
For now, the project is still aiming for the green light for 2026, but fears little will change regarding F1 and the real reason why the ten existing teams are shutting the door.
“It’s definitely a financial issue, there’s no doubt about it,” Andretti concluded, referring to how the sport’s commercial revenues are distributed between F1 and the teams.
Andretti Outraged, Bets Big on Crucial Miami F1 Meet. Andretti Outraged, Bets Big on Crucial Miami F1 Meet
- ReadMore>Alonso’s New Role May End De la Rosa’s F1 Career
- Following us on Facebook and Twitter
