Andretti Autosport, under the leadership of Michael Andretti, has been trying to enter F1 for a long. However, many teams, especially Mercedes, most through Toto Wolff, have been challenging their arrival.
Ahead of the 2022 season, they announced how their plans were curtailed and how they won’t be able to be the 11th team on the grid for the foreseeable future.
The biggest reason for opposing Andretti for the majority of F1 teams is that the current money being distributed would be further divided due to their arrival. As column 1 gives equal pie to all the teams, column 2 is the prize money according to the grid standings from the last season.
If Andretti comes in, then in both columns, each column would have to divide the money further even though Andretti ensured $200 million as an F1 entry amount, compensation for the team’s losses because of their entry. But certainly, it wasn’t enough.
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A new bid by Andretti with GM
On Thursday, Andretti Autosport announced colossal news. They declared a collaborative bid with GM as a new F1 team. The biggest racing team in America and the biggest car manufacturer coming together in F1 seems to be a very juicy prospect.
The team will race under the banner of Andretti Cadillac Racing, and Cadillac will provide the engines, making it the fifth manufacturer in F1, as Audi has also announced its entry with Sauber.
Andretti and Cadillac aren’t necessarily looking for a 2026 entry, as per WTF1. They can even jump into the scene before that if they get approval from F1 and the FIA.
Will they be allowed?
Ahead of 2026, several parties have shown interest in racing in F1. Considering the finances in F1 are now way more stable than before, and terms can plan long-term stays, it’s more lucrative than ever.
Therefore, F1 reportedly can look into promising applications to expand the sport. Meanwhile, coming to Andretti and GM, their new bid seems too good to deny for F1 and FIA. So snubbing all the objections, they can get an entry as the 11th team in the sport.
It also depends on how much teams like Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull can lobby against them to maintain their interests. Exciting times are ahead for sure!
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