F1 Today | Bold ambitions within the sport and early contract talk

Every sport has underlying stories, but Formula 1 is always on a different level. Even during the quiet days, there's always something worth talking about. Today, Andretti revealed more ambitious plans, including a factory and wanting to compete in Formula 2 and Formula 3. Meanwhile, the build-up to silly season rumbles on.

Andretti factory

The FIA is keen to welcome an 11th team to the Formula 1 grid and Andretti Racing was a leading candidate for it. In the end, the American team were given a 'no' by the FOM and so a line went through an F1 entry (for now). However, Andretti is not giving up and is still making preparations to enter the premier class of motorsport in the future. A new factory was opened on Wednesday.

Formula 2 and Formula 3

Besides entering Formula 1, Andretti Racing plans to enter Formula 2 and Formula 3. The intention behind this is to give more American drivers a chance to show that they are ready to compete in the top class of motorsport. 

"Our goal is to have an F3/F2 team to help support the F1 team, and then maybe even a WEC team. So we want to make this our hub for the European racing. So a lot of a lot of cool plans in this area," Michael Andretti told Autosport.com. "It's not just American drivers, but it'll be a good ladder for American drivers." See the full story here. 

Eggs in one basket

It is still unclear whether Fernando Alonso plans to stay in Formula 1 next year and which team he would prefer to be under contract with. At least at Aston Martin, they are doing everything they can to get the two-time world champion to sign a new contract. Pedro De La Rosa, Aston Martin ambassador, in conversation with El Larguero de la Cadena SER, states: "The most important thing is to give him reasons to stay with us, by offering him the best possible car." Alonso's contract expires after this season and many teams - including Mercedes - are still looking for drivers for 2025. Here's the latest word from Aston Martin.

Horner on Perez and Ricciardo

Daniel Ricciardo is not yet in his best form at the start of 2024. During the past race in Japan, the Australian was part of a big crash on the first lap together with Alexander Albon. But even in the three previous races, the good-humoured driver did not finish among the top 10. The poorer results have not left Ricciardo cold. But Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing team boss, is not worried for now. Will the Australian end up at Red Bull?

The Mexican’s contract is up at the end of 2024, yet there’s been no word from Red Bull on whether Perez will stay as their number two driver. When asked about the 34-year-old's current attitude, Horner replied: “I think his confidence is high, he’s very focused on the job in hand, and he’s comfortable in the team. He knows he’s out of a contract for next year, it’s his seat to lose, he’s very popular in the team and he’s started the season in the best possible way.”