Se Michael Andretti he was sleeping soundly with the car in the wind tunnel, statement released by Formula 1 it must have been a very cold wake up call. The FIA had approved the addition of Andretti as the eleventh team, but a commercial agreement was needed. F1 then rejected that deal for 2025 or 2026, with a lengthy explanation in the statement.
What the press release says
According to what was reported in the press release, Andretti also had the opportunity to submit his application to Formula 1 on 12 December 2023, although this offer was not accepted. F1 had the opportunity to analyze the proposal, without involving the current 10 teams, and came to this conclusion.
In the analysis, F1 established that the presence of an eleventh team would not bring any value added for championship purposes, while any new team should take part and immediately be competitive, aiming for podiums and victories. Having a deal with General Motors in the form of Cadillac is good for value, but given that it wouldn't go into effect until 2028 there would only be the aggravating circumstance of the obligation for one of the current engine manufacturers to supply the power unit.
Precisely for this reason serious collaboration problems arise. Given the partnership with GM from 2028, in fact, any engine engineer would provide the bare minimum to Andretti and nothing more, effectively making the team "not very competitive“. Furthermore, the desire to enter in 2025, at the end of the rules cycle, makes the approval of the team very complex. In fact, with the new 2026 rules, Andretti would have to make two cars with different rules in two years. The difficulty level of Formula 1 is different from that of other series, and Formula 1 doubts Andretti's potential.
In conclusion, the economic analysis would not bring great benefits to Formula 1, but on the contrary it would be the series itself that would benefit Andretti. Therefore, F1 will reevaluate Andretti with a view to 2028, with new rules and an ad hoc engineer who would increase Andretti's value.
What does this situation mean?
Formula 1's decision involves a very strong stance. Andretti, despite the amount of records in other series, is not seen as a possible competitor with potential for victory or competitive participation. On the contrary, it is General Motors that seduces Formula 1, with the possible reevaluation of the proposal in 2028 linked precisely to the motor company. The social world did not take the news well, also due to name changes of the current teams.
There are those who wonder why Andretti didn't try the Audi route, purchasing an already existing team; there are those who comment that it is only the Red Bull men who are competitive. There is the name “Andretti” which, alone, should weigh more than “Visa Cash App RB" or "Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber“, without taking anything away from the respective teams. An important surname, the last American world champion. Given Michael Andretti's commitment, one really has to wonder if Andretti's value is so low compared to others. In a polemical mood, I ask myself whether it is better to have a team that offers future prospects like Andretti-Cadillac or, on the contrary, whether it is better to link one's image to nations that use sport for their own brandwashing, companies that deal with pure economics or online betting. I repeat, without taking anything away from the teams involved, but we cannot speak of "little value in the Andretti brand".
Formula 1 has demonstrated once again how it is linked only and exclusively to money. Nothing less, nothing more. And if on the one hand it is understandable, on the other it only leaves a strong bitter taste in the mouth. And you can rest assured, YawClub readers, that the matter is not over yet, but will continue in court or in the competent offices.
