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28 SPORTS AWEMainta Diamars, 3 October 2023
Andretti Global Advances in
Pursuit of 11th Formula One Team
MICHAEL Andretti, a revered figure in that not only fulfilled the specified
American motorsport, has achieved criteria but also contributed value to
a significant milestone in his quest to the sport.
establish a Formula One team. The
International Automobile Federation While most existing teams have publicly
(FIA) has granted its initial approval opposed expanding the grid, F1’s
for Andretti’s ambition to expand the increased focus on the American market
world’s premier motorsport series and sponsorship opportunities has led
to accommodate 11 teams, marking to three races in the United States this
a pivotal moment in his three-year who publicly endorsed the Andretti year. However, top teams like Red Bull
journey. initiative. and Mercedes argue that their substan-
tial investments in F1 should not be
However, it is important to note that this Ben Sulayem emphasized, “The FIA compromised by allowing new entrants,
FIA approval does not guarantee the is obligated to approve applications even one with strong American ties, to
establishment of Andretti’s envisioned that adhere to the criteria outlined in join the series.
two-car team. To proceed further, the Expressions of Interests applica-
Andretti Global and its partner, Cadillac, tion. We have meticulously followed Gene Haas established the sole
must still demonstrate their commercial this procedure in determining that American-owned team in 2016, and
viability to F1’s rights holder, Liberty Andretti Formula Racing LLC’s applica- Andretti aims to distinguish his team
Media, and the existing teams. Notably, tion should progress to the subsequent as the authentic American represen-
the existing teams do not possess the stage of the application process.” tative, featuring a homegrown driver
power to vote on grid expansion. and enjoying support from GM and an
F1 issued a statement stating, “We Andretti Formula Racing LLC emerged American sponsor.
acknowledge the FIA’s findings as the sole entity that substantially
regarding the initial phases of their satisfied the selection criteria. This Ben Sulayem has championed the
evaluation and will now conduct our accomplishment prompted hearty Andretti cause, asserting that the
independent assessment of the merits congratulations from Ben Sulayem Andretti name and General Motors
of the remaining application.” to Michael Andretti and his team for bring too much value to be summarily
presenting a comprehensive applica- dismissed. Significantly, Andretti’s
The FIA’s approval represents the first tion. entry does not entail a financial stake in
step in Michael Andretti’s endeavor to F1’s profits, in contrast to Liberty and
restore one of racing’s most illustrious Ben Sulayem, who assumed the FIA the current teams.
names to the pinnacle of motorsport. presidency in late 2021, spearheaded Ben Sulayem disclosed that opening the
It is worth noting that Michael’s father, the launch of an “expression of interest” process to new teams had also gener-
Mario Andretti, clinched the F1 cham- process earlier this year, allowing poten- ated further interest from Audi, Honda,
pionship in 1978, while Michael himself tial new teams to apply for entry into Ford, Porsche, and General Motors.
competed in 13 races during the 1993 F1. This initiative followed Andretti’s
season. proposal to expand the grid to welcome This marks the third instance where
fresh entrants, following his unsuc- the FIA has initiated an expressions of
The Andretti duo, comprising father cessful attempt in 2021 to purchase an interest process for potential teams.
and son, holds a distinguished place in existing F1 team. The first attempt in 2009 resulted in
American open-wheel racing, ranking To secure the FIA’s recommendation as four teams joining F1, but they all even-
third and fourth on IndyCar’s all-time a future team, applicants were required tually went bankrupt and are no longer
win list. Their unwavering pursuit of to meet criteria encompassing sporting, part of the sport. Consequently, strin-
reintroducing the Andretti legacy to technical, and financial aspects. Ben gent parameters and a comprehensive
F1 garnered a significant ally in FIA Sulayem underscored that their objec- application process have been estab-
President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, tive was to endorse prospective entries lished to safeguard the integrity of F1.
