Hamilton backs down on words: 'I'm not supporting Andretti!'

No doubt Michael Andretti will have taken in the news from Qatar with a smile: Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton speaking out in favour of Andrett-Cadillac's entry into Formula 1. But a day later it turns out things are a little different. For Hamilton is not at all in favour of Andretti in Formula 1's premier class.

During his media commitments on Thursday, Hamilton said, "Yeah, I think it’s great. I’ve always felt there wasn’t enough cars on the grid. While there’s definitely people that won’t be happy for me to be supportive of it, I think it’s great. It’s an opportunity for more jobs, it’s another two seats available for a female driver to come through. It opens up more possibilities, and I think it would be more exciting for the race."

Hamilton clarifies

But in a post on X, an hour before the start of free practice in Qatar, Hamilton now writes: "Nope, don’t support Andretti. Just the idea of another team in future if it’s a chance to make our sport more diverse," the seven-time world champion posted. Max Verstappen has not gone back on his positive words about Andretti-Cadillac, the team hoping for permission from Formula One Management to compete in Formula One from 2025. F1 teams are not eager for the time being, as an additional team will lead to a decrease in revenue. However, Andretti-Cadillac has already been granted an F1 licence by the FIA.

Nope, don’t support Andretti. Just the idea of another team in future if it’s a chance to make our sport more diverse ~

— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) October 6, 2023