Despite opposition from some teams, Andretti still aims for F1

For about 6 months, the name Andretti has often been associated with the Formula 1. In February, Mario Andretti, father of Michael, indicated that his son had submitted a request to the FIA ​​to join the grid in 2024. Alas, the news was not necessarily well received in the paddock where certain teams did not hesitated to show their opposition to the arrival of the American team in F1 in the coming years.

« He's had this in mind for a long time, said Mario Andretti when asked about his son Michael's project. I've heard him talk about this for at least five years. This is part of his ambitions as a team boss. He knew how to expand his field of action. Motorsport is his business. He lives and breathes this sport like we always have. As an owner, he simply wants to take advantage of the opportunity to stay at the highest level.

Why not Formula 1? Embarrassed Haas did it. He is not a 100% racer whereas we are. Michael has the support of serious and competent people. Everything is done for the long term with them."

Andretti faces resistance

If the ambition is great, the Andretti clan must however face some opposition in the paddock. While McLaren ou Alpine have been favorable to his arrival, other teams have not been of the same opinion since the first announcements of the family structure last February.

In July, Mario Andretti did not hesitate to criticize the opposing teams who, according to him, adopted a “snobbish attitude” at a time when Andretti wants to become the 11^e paddock team. Despite the opposition and the procrastination of the FOM, the American team does not plan to throw in the towel immediately!

« It's clear that we're facing some resistance, and that's very disappointing at this point in time., regrets Mario Andretti, always with MotorLat. Are we going to give up yet? No. I think we deserved to be there (in F1). »

Among Andretti's detractors, Toto wolff appears to be the biggest opponent. The main team, who did not hesitate to express their disagreement publicly, is positioning itself in favor of the arrival of Audi rather than that of the Indianapolis firm. “ We hear the opposition say “There are manufacturers arriving”. They are always welcome without a doubt. Why wouldn't they be? retorts Mario Andretti. Toto talks about Audi which he prefers to have like 11^e team. Audi is welcome everywhere but I don't see it arriving as a beginner team. I see Audi merging with a top team as an engine supplier."

Andretti persists

Despite the resistance of a large part of the paddock to the arrival of an 11^e stable on the grid from 2024, the Andretti clan persists and signs: it wants to land in F1! “ Having 11 or 12 teams is not a bad thing for Formula 1 in all honesty, continues Mario Andretti. I don't know why they (team bosses) resist and think that ten teams are enough. We will not give up under any circumstances, because this is our life. We want to contribute and we don’t want to take anything away from anyone. We want to contribute to the big picture and to ourselves."

To support its application to the FIA, Andretti Autosports intends to expand its activities beyond F1. In addition to the arrival in the premier category in 2024, the structure led by Michael Andretti plans to be involved in promotional formulas by jointly committing to F2 et F3 using his experience in Indy Lights, the anteroom of theIndyCar.

« How many major Formula 1 teams have Formula 3 or Formula 2 teams? Name one? No, they don't. We do! insists the former pilot. This is something that was promised and committed to by the FIA ​​because Michael did this on his own.. » The fight has only just begun.

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