Andretti’s bid rejected by F1

Andretti applied to enter F1 as soon as 2025 but was rejected and told they could retry in 2028 instead. The bid received pushback from the 10 existing team as well as F1 leadership reporting that Andretti’s team would not add value to the championship if they joined so soon.

Andretti had teamed up with General Motors to be their engine and manufacture partner. Their aim was to bring the luxury Cadillac brand to the F1 with the name Andretti Cadillac Racing as seen on Sky Sports.

The rejection has left Andretti and his team devastated and with another four years of improvement before being able to apply again.

The application

The application process opened in March 2023 by the FIA, which they had four respondents including Hitech GP, Ronin Cars, Lucky Suns, and of course Andretti. Andretti’s team was reportedly the only team to make it through the FIA approval rounds. The FIA announced on 2 October 2023 that they were satisfied that the team had met all the criteria.

Each applicant team must already have two confirmed drivers, have paid the $200 million entry fee, a team name, the confirmed make and brand of the car and engine and they must agree they will attend each event on the F1 calendar.

Why the bid was rejected

• Reported by ESPN, some of the rival teams had argued their concerns that adding an 11^th team would dilute the prize fund. As well as this, they believe the $200 million anti-dilution fee that any new team has to pay on entry for the grid is set too low and does not adequately compensate the existing teams.
• F1 have stated that the regulation changes that are coming into force in 2025 and 2026 would leave any new novice entrant at a disadvantage. It would mean the team would have to build two completely different cars in its first two years leaving little room to be a competitive rival.
• Any new team that is admitted should bring value in terms of being a competitive rival and have prospects to win races and reach the podium. This is what increases views and popularity, impresses the stakeholders as well as build revenue with broadcasters and race promoters. F1 have doubts that Andretti could become a competitive team by 2025.
• The team would need to source a power unit supply over the first few seasons which F1 have stated is damaging to the prestige and standing of the championship.
• Autosport lists one of the reasons for this rejection as F1 believes that there is no value for F1 to accept Andretti.

“While the Andretti name carries some recognition for F1 fans, our research indicates that F1 would bring value to the Andretti brand rather than the other way around.”

About Andretti

Michael Andretti is a former F1 driver with Mclaren in the 1993 season. Since retirement, Andretti has owned Andretti Autosport, claiming 4 IndyCar series championships and 5 Indianapolis 500 races.

Michael Andretti’s father, Mario Andretti, who was regarded as one of the best drivers of all time and who is one of the few who have won races in Formula 1, IndyCar, World Sportscar championship and NASCAR.

The 10 existing teams and their 2024 drivers

F1 have left the door open for Andretti to apply in 2028 and so Andretti has pledged to produce their own engines under its Cadillac brand so there will be no need for a supply deal. With four more years to wait to be granted entry but no written or formal agreement, Andretti will have to work hard for the next few seasons to ensure entry when the time comes.