FIA warns Andretti/Cadillac front: 'No guarantees offered'

Although the all-American partnership between Andretti Autosport and Cadillac is everything Liberty Media would want to make F1 more popular, the FIA is just reacting lukewarm to the announcement of the American front trying to enter F1.

FIA happy with own work in F1

The FIA has been the biggest obstruction for Andretti over the past year. Michael Andretti wants to be the 11th F1 team on the grid as soon as possible, but has constantly encountered opposition from the FIA. Liberty Media and the FOM, who were also initially sceptical, no longer pass muster in Andretti's occasional explanation of the state of affairs. The FIA and current F1 teams in particular are making things difficult for the aspiring formations. And although the Andretti/Cadillac block seems like a hefty addition for F1, the FIA's response is mostly businesslike.

Racer.com spoke to an FIA spokesperson and quotes the umbrella body's official reaction to the news: "The FIA is exploring the Expression of Interest and will come up with an update in the near future. Today's news from the US is further evidence of the popularity and growth of the FIA F1 World Championship under the FIA's stewardship. It is very good to hear that there is interest from two such iconic brands as Cadillac and Andretti Global."

FIA offers Cadillac/Andretti no guarantee

Furthermore, the FIA sounds mostly cautionary, emphasising that the collaboration does not yet give the two brands a guarantee for the future. The FIA will deal with Cadillac/Andretti's application according to its established protocols. The spokesman added: "There is great interest in the F1 project at this time with a number of conversations continuing that are not as visible as others."

The FIA wants to keep Formula 1 stable and credible and is therefore very strict around admitting new teams. Perhaps the most interesting thing the FIA says in this statement is that other less visible talks are also underway. This can only add credibility to the rumours going around about a possible F1 entry of Ford, Hyundai and a team owned by billionaire Calvin Lo.