Andretti Global Receives FIA Approval for Expansion, Potentially Becoming the 11th Team on the F1 Grid
Securing approval from the FIA marked a significant initial milestone in Andretti's three-year endeavor to bring back one of motorsport's most renowned names to the highest level of auto racing. In the past, Mario Andretti claimed the F1 championship in 1978, while his son, Michael, participated in 13 races during the 1993 season.
American racer Michael Andretti has overcome a significant obstacle in his quest to establish a Formula One team, as the FIA has confirmed that he fulfills all the necessary criteria to expand the prestigious motorsport series to include 11 teams.
However, it's important to note that the FIA's decision doesn't guarantee that Andretti will obtain the two-car team he desires. Andretti Global, in partnership with Cadillac, must still demonstrate their commercial value to F1's rights holder, Liberty Media, and the existing teams, even though the current teams do not have a vote on grid expansion.
F1 stated, "We note the FIA’s conclusions in relation to the first and second phases of their process and will now conduct our own assessment of the merits of the remaining application."
This approval from the FIA represents a crucial initial step in Andretti's three-year endeavor to reintroduce one of racing's most storied names to the pinnacle of auto racing. Mario Andretti, Michael's father, clinched the F1 championship in 1978, and Michael himself participated in 13 races during the 1993 season.
The Andrettis, among the most successful racers in American open-wheel history, have long aspired to revive the Andretti name in F1. They have made progress in formalizing FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem's support for their effort.
Ben Sulayem, who took over as head of the FIA in late 2021, initiated the "expression of interest" process for potential new teams this year after Andretti advocated for expanding the grid to admit new entrants. This motion came after Andretti's unsuccessful attempt in 2021 to purchase an existing team.
In the first phase, the FIA received seven applicants. Five of them advanced to the second round, which required a $300,000 fee and a thorough evaluation by F1's governing body. Ultimately, only four applicants completed the entire process, with Andretti, whose engines would bear the General Motors brand under the Cadillac banner, being the sole deserving applicant.
To be recommended as a future team, the applicant had to meet the FIA's sporting, technical, and financial requirements. Ben Sulayem explained that their objective "was to only approve prospective entries which satisfied the set criteria and illustrated that they would add value to the sport."
Many of the existing teams have publicly opposed grid expansion for anyone, even an American team associated with General Motors. F1 will hold three races in the United States this year and five in North America, aiming to tap into the American market's enthusiasm for the European racing series.
However, the existing teams, especially top teams like Red Bull and Mercedes, argue that they have invested too much in F1 for newcomers to buy their way into the series. While there is a required $200 million anti-dilution fee for new entrants, teams contend that expansion reduces their share of the financial pie.
Furthermore, they argue that if Andretti is so eager to have a team, he should simply purchase an existing one. Gene Haas established the only American-owned team in 2016.
Andretti, however, emphasizes that his team will truly represent America, featuring an American driver and the backing of General Motors and an American sponsor. The Andretti name and General Motors' involvement, according to Ben Sulayem, bring too much to the series to be outright rejected for future teams.
Ben Sulayem also stated that the FIA's decision to open the process for new teams sparked further interest from Audi, Honda, and Ford, as well as Porsche and General Motors.
This marks the third time the FIA has opened an "expression of interest" process for potential teams. The first attempt in 2009 resulted in four teams joining the series, but all eventually went bankrupt and are no longer part of F1. As a result, the criteria for joining F1 and the entire application process have become extremely stringent.
Gene Haas successfully entered his team through an "expression of interest" process in 2014 and remains on the F1 grid.
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