Why not everyone in F1 is excited about possible arrival of Andretti

Andretti has been shouting for some time that it would like to enter Formula 1, but now steps are actually being taken to make that dream a reality. Following the news from the FIA that it is looking at a procedure for new F1 teams, Andretti has announced a partnership with Cadillac. While this would be a great move for F1, not everyone is happy about the possible arrival of an eleventh team on the grid.

Michael Andretti has a clear goal in mind: he wants to enter Formula 1 with Andretti in the coming years. Although the Americans' plan is not welcomed by everyone in F1, Andretti remains confident. This includes the construction of huge headquarters. On Wednesday, Andretti announced that it is joining hands with Cadillac to work towards an F1 entry.

Horner positive about eleventh team Andretti

Christian Horner is one of the few supporters of the arrival of an eleventh team in F1. The Red Bull Racing team boss is only concerned about the financial picture. "Because it would be unfair to expect the other teams to pay for the additional new entrants to come in indirectly", he reveals in an earlier interview.

Indeed, the arrival of a new team would cause the existing teams to receive less money from the organisation, and thus have to pay more out of their own pockets. For a Red Bull Racing, Mercedes or Ferrari this is not such a big problem, but the smaller teams would feel it. Nevertheless, Horner welcomes the arrival of an American team. "We have Haas, of course, but we need a big name."

'Andretti does not increase value of F1'

Toto Wolff, on the contrary, is against the possible arrival of Andretti. During the 2022 season, the Mercedes team boss let it be known that Audi is welcome as a team because, according to Wolff, the German brand can add a lot of value to F1. This is not the case with Andretti, the Austrian informed. "We have 10 franchises that we hope can increase the value and you are certainly not going to increase the value by issuing new franchises to people who cannot increase the overall value of Formula 1."

"I think whoever joins as an 11th team, whoever gets an entry needs to demonstrate how accretive they can be for the business. Andretti is a great name, they have done exceptional things in the US but this is sport and this is business", Wolff said.

Like Wolff, Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari's new team boss, also expressed doubts about Andretti's added value as an 11th F1 team. "I don’t think added value can come from the nationality of a team. One of the biggest markets of F1 today is the Netherlands, and we don’t have a Dutch team, we have a Dutch driver", sounded Vasseur's argument. The Frenchman is, however, a fan of engine suppliers joining hands with already existing F1 teams.

The FIA was also not always keen on the option of adding an eleventh team to the grid, but meanwhile the governing body is looking at a procedure for the arrival of new teams. However, F1 itself must also agree to Andretti's entry.

CEO Stefano Domenicali previously revealed that he too does not see the addition of another team. "If someone wants to join, it has to be really significant", the CEO said. According to Domenicali, it is important to protect the current F1 teams. A shortage of teams does not exist in F1, the Italian reiterated the words of Libery Media boss Greg Maffei.

Opinions are divided in F1

Yet Horner is not the only team boss who does see Andretti's arrival. McLaren, especially CEO Zak Brown, also welcomes the entry of the American team. Compared to Wolff and Vasseur, Brown thinks Andretti's impact will actually increase the value of F1. "Does he help us get a better TV contract? Does he help bring more awareness with sponsors from America? My view is he covers the first couple of years then by the time you’re potentially being diluted I think he will have added more value than he’s diluted."

So it is clear that there are many mixed feelings about the possible arrival of Andretti and Cadillac in F1. Much will have to happen before Andretti's dream can become a reality. The FIA itself has already warned that there is no guarantee for the future yet. Team bosses are also sure to share their views with the governing body. To be continued...