This is why Formula 1 rejected Andretti's bid

Formula 1 announced on Wednesday that they had rejected Andretti's bid. Initially, Michael Andretti seemed well on his way to participating in 2025 or 2026, but the FOM put a stop to the participation of the intended new F1 team. Here's why.

Why F1 rejected Andretti

In a detailed report, Formula 1 explains why it rejected Andretti's entry. "Our assessment process has established that the presence of an 11th team would not, on its own, provide value to the championship. The most significant way in which a new entrant would bring value is by being competitive. We do not believe that the applicant would be a competitive participant," the judgment said.

FOM fears that the need for a new team to compulsorily purchase a power source from an engine supplier would be "detrimental to the prestige and status of the championship". F1 also thinks the sport would add more value to the Andretti name than the other way around, despite the name recognition of the proposed new team.

"On the basis of the application as it stands, we do not believe that the applicant has shown that it would add value to the championship. We conclude that the applicant’s application to participate in the championship should not be successful," the report further noted.

Andretti participation is possible in 2028

However, the door for participation is not closed for good: Andretti could still make a bid for a spot on the grid in 2028. "We would look differently on an application for the entry of a team into the 2028 championship with a GM power unit, either as a GM works team or as a GM customer team designing all allowable components in-house."

In that case, Formula 1 said: "there would be additional factors to consider in respect of the value that the applicant would bring to the championship, in particular in respect of bringing a  prestigious new OEM to the sport as a PU supplier".

Resistance from other F1 teams

F1 participation in 2025 or 2026 was always going to be a difficult story for Andretti, who can hardly count on support from current team principals. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has also repeatedly been critical of the possible arrival of a new team. In this, Formula 1 is diametrically opposed to the FIA, which approved the application as early as 2023. However, permission is needed from both the FIA and the FOM to join the grid.