updated
Cadillac“Unfair” – F1 teams are fighting once morest a new mega-project from the USA
With the help of what was once the world’s largest car manufacturer, ex-racing driver Michael Andretti wants to get a place in Formula 1. This meets with great resistance.
The American and former F1 driver already owns a team in the IndyCar series.
IMAGO/Icon Sportswire
FIA boss Ben Sulayem welcomes the endeavor.
IMAGO/PanoramiC
That’s what it’s regarding
-
Former driver Michael Andretti wants to get into Formula 1 with Cadillac.
-
The ambitious project is supported and encouraged by the boss of the world association.
-
In the other racing teams, however, the effort is met with vehement resistance.
Formula 1 is heading for a power struggle in the dispute over expanding the starting field. The US project by Michael Andretti (60) and Cadillac, with the support of the world association boss, is pushing for admission to the exclusive club of Formula 1 teams. But the majority of the ten current racing teams do not want to share the billions in revenue with newcomers, and the bosses of the racing series are also stepping on the brakes.
The President of the International Automobile Federation Fia, Mohammed Ben Sulayem (61), made his upset regarding the resistance from the premier class public in a tweet. Ben Sulayem said he was “surprised by the negative reactions” to the plans of former Formula 1 driver Andretti. The interest of large car manufacturers such as Cadillac’s mother General Motors in Formula 1 must be “encouraged”, demanded the Fia boss.
It’s regarding a lot of money
The admonition of the top rule guard should leave the team bosses unimpressed. It’s just too much money. A newcomer would currently have to bring 200 million francs as compensation for the established teams. This is intended to mitigate the losses of the racing teams if the marketing income is shared by eleven teams instead of the previous ten. Around 20 million francs per team – that’s obviously not enough for most.
The value of the Formula 1 brand and the amount of income from rights sales and contracts have recently increased massively thanks to the boom on the US market. Many industry experts therefore consider a compensation payment of at least CHF 600 million to be appropriate. Money will be an important factor in the end. It would be unfair to have other teams pay indirectly for the newcomers,” said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner (49) last year.
Michael Andretti is experienced
But Andretti doesn’t want to be brushed off. His attempt to buy into the Sauber racing team failed in 2021. With General Motors, once the world’s largest carmaker, as a partner, the former McLaren driver and son of ex-world champion Mario Andretti now sees the way to Formula 1 paved. At the latest with the new technology regulations from 2026 it might be so far, Andretti is even aiming for an earlier entry.
Andretti sees all the requirements met and his project “clearly ahead of the competition”. In the US state of Indiana, his motorsport company is building a large new racing factory. In addition, he has already begun to recruit staff with Formula 1 experience, said Andretti, who has experience with racing teams. He has one in IndyCar (Romain Grosjean is in this one) and he is also active in Formula E.
Andretti shoots back
So what’s next? The fact is: Only the Alpine and McLaren teams recently assured Andretti of their support for an entry. Formula 1 managing director Stefano Domenicali (57) is said to have been displeased that Andretti made representations to all team bosses at the race in Miami and wanted to persuade them to give written approval for his plans. That’s not how you do business in the racing series, Domenicali signaled to the American, the BBC reported.
The fact that the Fia President is now taking Andretti’s side might further deepen the rift between the world association and the racing series. Formula 1 defends itself once morest the Fia’s interference in day-to-day business and has long wanted to push back the influence of the umbrella organization on important decisions.
The conflict over the starting field might become the catalyst for a violent rift. There are already signs. Andretti raged once morest the team bosses on Wednesday for Forbes. “It’s all regarding greed and looking at yourself and not what’s best for growth.” And: “It’s regarding the money. First, they think they’re getting a tenth of their money diluted, but they get greedy because they think we’re taking the American sponsors too.”
(dpa/huh/huh/huh)
