GM-Andretti F1 Entry Reportedly Not Wanted

Grudges Between Teams Not Linked to Race

The drive for Andretti Formula Racing LLC to enter Formula 1 persists in eliciting inquiries, not least following the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile’s (FIA) consent of the application. Recently, the Associated Press announced that F1 has pursued, with General Motors, the conjunction with additional racing squads as an alternative to Andretti.

Mario Andretti can make a convincing argument that the decision to exclude him from Formula One is indeed a personal one: According to three individuals with direct knowledge of the conversations, The Associated Press (AP) was told by Formula One that they had asked General Motors if they would join forces with someone other than Andretti.

The second is that Andretti cannot find a team willing to invest in him.This report brings forward two explanations as to why Formula One has been postponing the acceptance of Andretti onto the grid. Suggestions are made that the General Manager has been requested by one of the existing ten teams to share their income, which could be the cause of the hold up. Another reason could possibly be that no team has taken the initiative of investing into Andretti’s career.

“It’s all about the money,” Ben Sulayem declared to AP. “That’s what’s at the heart of the matter. They don’t want to divide it up.” He was resolute in his insistence that the financial aspect was the sole issue. “It’s only about the money,” he repeated.

Indeed, the reward money should be divided, but given the recognition of the Andretti brand in America, its inclusion as an American team in F1 would have the potential to bring about tremendous income for the racing circuit. Therefore, as Liberty Media, which owns F1, continues to amplify the sports influence in the US with additional events such as the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Cadillac could also benefit from being associated with the race, thereby promoting their vehicles – like the Lyriq – more effectively.

The recent speculation that Formula One (F1) is willing to run a 22-car grid without Andretti has caused a stir in the racing world. To get to the bottom of this, Associated Press (AP) reached out to four teams to gain insight into the situation. McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown appears to be off the hook when it comes to the Andretti issue. Brown has done business with Andretti in the past, so it’s not surprising that he’s not involved in the discussion. Aston Martin boss Mike Krack, on the other hand, has some pro-Andretti sentiments due to his previous experience working for Andretti in Formula E.

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff and Haas leader Gunther Steiner have stated that they may not have a close bond with Andretti, but there are no resentments being carried.

Regardless of the motivation, F1 and FIA could not substantiate any lawful rationale to reject Andretti’s application to collaborate with GM on entering the competition. The race group had already tested a 2023-spec F1 car in spite of being without acceptance to take part. Jenna Fryer, a columnist for AP, believes that it is likely this matter has to be decided in a legal court.