Marko sceptical about Andretti, fear of legal battle

Andretti-Cadillac has received approval from the FIA to enter Formula 1 in the future, but there are detractors. And not just a few. F1 teams are not in favour of this. How do Helmut Marko and Red Bull Racing view the situation?

Christian Horner has explained many times this season that he is not keen on Andretti's arrival. Helmut Marko concurs with his colleague's view. "An eleventh team not only means that each team has to give away more money [the prize pool is divided not between 10 but 11 teams in that case], but also that the value of each individual team drops. Of course nobody wants that," Marko told F1-Insider.com. It is in the interest of the teams and Liberty Media that Formula 1 remains an exclusive sport. That multiplies the value of the entire circus.

Apart from that, Marko said organisational problems might also arise if Andretti appears on the grid from 2025 or 2026. "Most circuits are already at their maximum in terms of space. Where should you put an extra team in the already very tight pit lanes? In the paddock, you would probably have to shrink the hospitality areas. But the teams are not interested in that," explains the 80-year-old Austrian consultant.

Lawsuit imminent?

The FIA is keen to see Andretti join, so as explained, the other parties involved are not in favour. An insider informs the aforementioned medium that the last word on the matter is certainly not yet said. "There will be a power struggle. It could also end in a years-long court case. The loser will be the sport."