the constant struggle that has been going on for several months between Formula 1 and the FIA has found yet another front in which to take place. There are still three very long seasons left before the 2026 regulatory change, yet, tensions are already more than heated. The announced marriage between Mario Andretti and Cadillac, in the last few days, has turned up quite a few noses inside and outside the paddock. But If you were to get to eleven teams, who would benefit the most?
Between engineers and new teams: the future pedigree of Formula 1
The top flight open-wheel series prepares for the usual change when a regulatory change approaches. Audi will enter menacingly in the circus, Ferrari is in cahoots with Red Bull for the advantages that the winged bull could have from the Japanese know-how handed down to him by Honda, and lastly, the loudest announcement: the possible entry of a new team. The last time twenty-two single-seaters landed on the gray dates back to the 2016 season, and now, the possibility of returning to the same figure does not seem so remote. The Return of "Football" Mario Andretti, not as a driver, but as number one in a team, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem likes it, but teams and Formula 1 do not seem to be of the same mind. Let's get into the details…
FIA against Formula 1 and teams
After Sulayem opened up the possibility of having other teams, Mario Andretti didn't let us want him. The Italian-American had been trying to gain approval for several months, and the federation's ok is an important step for what's to come. Andretti's solo entry seemed awkward and improbable; the former pilot needed an important name by his side, and he did not fail to find it. Cadillac is undergoing a 'rebrand', with the intention of moving from the classic American car to being synonymous with speed. The announced entry into hypercar competition bears witness to what has been said, and Formula 1 is definitely fertile ground for the management of the stars and stripes brand. However, the entry of an eleventh team means a division of the annual prizes among several teams, which of course the teams don't like.
The teams say "no", Domenicali takes his time
Following the announcement of the American collaboration, the teams turned up their noses, as mentioned. The entry of a team with great economic possibilities it doesn't just mean having less income, but also one more opponent. Andretti only found the support of McLaren e Alpine, and if we consider that the approval for entry depends on the consent of all the teams and of the Formula 1, "bigfoot" has a lot of diplomatic work to do. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, to date, protect the interest of the teams by proclaiming 'calm'. The impression is that you want to avoid a phenomenon that hasn't been seen for years now: the entry of a team that ends up staying for a few years, only to leave. Domenicali underlines how the problem is not quantity, but whether the value of Formula 1 can benefit from it.
Eleven teams: is it worth it?
In short, the question everyone is asking is: is it worth scratching ten teams for the benefit of one? And if it's worth it, what good does that team bring, can it really be good for the top flight? In short, more quantity does not mean more quality or more entertainment. Andretti, However, he might have an ace up his sleeve hitherto unnoticed: the potential audience. As it is known, this F1 more and more show business is very interested in the American market, so much so that in a few years it has secured itself well three GPs on US soil. If Andretti enters, the number of fans from the new continent could multiply, as he would see another home team compete and who knows, if Andretti deems it appropriate, another compatriot driver to cheer on. We have very busy weeks ahead. If Andretti manages to break into such a tight and hostile circus towards the latest arrival, the teams will have another opponent to fear.
