F1-Endurance: when newcomers do not arouse the same enthusiasm

With the 2023 Rugby World Cup in full swing, it is tempting to draw a parallel between the proverbial values ​​of the oval and that of theEndurance (altruism, cooperation, solidarity, etc.). Especially since they are often brandished in opposition to the principles of football business, which can be compared to the mantras of the all-powerful Formula 1.

Yes, it's a bit easy and demagogic but every cliché has an element of truth...

In recent years, some of the most powerful football clubs have attempted to set up a new semi-closed competition, the European Super League, where a deadly feud reigns, the ultimate symbol of the primacy of financial interests over beauty. Sport. Despite the almost unanimous opposition of fans upon the announcement of the project, the initiative was not buried. Its defenders are trying to ripolinate it so that it one day becomes a reality.

While the Formula 1 grid has historically seen its numbers fluctuate according to fashion, conjecture, or the interest of manufacturers, the Americans from Liberty Media, under the combined effect of the 2021-2025 Concorde Agreements, the ceiling budget introduced in 2021, and the renewed interest in the premier category, have transformed the current field into a closed championship, with the resulting financial benefits for the participants.

Will Michael Andretti achieve his goals and join the F1 grid / © IndyCar Media

Franchise system

This model is found in North American sports leagues (surprise, surprise), where expenses, notably players' salaries, are regulated and where clubs are considered above-ground "franchises", with the possibility to be relocated overnight. We have seen this in recent years in the NFL (the professional American football championship) with the move of the Rams from St Louis (Missouri) to Los Angeles (California), and the Chargers from San Diego (California) also to the City of Angels. , or the Oakland Raiders (California) heading to Las Vegas (Nevada).

Despite the immense popularity of North American football in the United States, the NFL has a limited number of teams (32), this very exclusive circle only expanding slowly. The last “new” club to join the league was the Houston Texans, accepted into the elite in… 2002!

This situation is reminiscent of the current F1 grid with many teams having changed their identity for commercial reasons in recent years (Alfa Romeo, Alpha Tauri, Alpine, Aston Martin), while candidates interested in joining the premier category have all the difficulty in the world to get there.

Even global heavyweights like Audi and Ford have preferred to buy or ally with existing structures (Sauber in one case, Red Bull in the other) to be present on the grid by 2026, rather than launching their own team.

Despite the green light granted by the FIA ​​to the Andretti project, the latter must still convince the FOM, the holder of the commercial rights. However, the latter has never made a secret of his reluctance (no word about Andretti on the official site...), just like representatives of most of the 10 current teams. Only the pilots (and the majority of fans but does F1 even care?) seem excited.

Sharing a cake into 11 pieces instead of 10 automatically reduces each person's piece... unless the cake gets bigger by welcoming a new guest to the table.

Interested benevolence?

At the same time, the largest Endurance World Championships in the world, which are the WEC and l'IMSA are preparing to welcome a cohort of new arrivals in the coming years. In 2024, Lamborghini will arrive, Alpine, and Isotta Fraschini in Hypercar, while BMW will arrive in WEC.

The following year, it was Aston Martin which will make its comeback at the 24 Hours of Mans with a Valkyrie project that we thought was buried, while Acura, which shines in IMSA, could finally decide to cross the Atlantic. Added to all these are Ford's GT programs and McLaren.

Strangely (or not), this influx of big names is applauded by the players already in place – Toyota, Ferrari, Porsche, Cadillac, Peugeot , Vanwall for the Hypercar category alone.

Of course, the media exposure and financial stakes are much lower than those of F1 (and again, Ferrari is undoubtedly not unhappy to save its season with a prestigious victory at the Centenary of Le Mans!).

Manufacturers already involved have every interest in warmly welcoming new competitors. Winning against the most prestigious brands still has more flavor than beating the modest Glickenhaus and other ByKolles Racing (whose presence during the lean years of the WEC between 2018 and 2022 must naturally be applauded!).

But the difference in mindset between the F1 and Endurance worlds deserves to be highlighted and welcomed. Afterwards, it is likely to see several manufacturers fold up after a few years if they cannot gain in Endurance, 24 Hours of Le Mans.