In the latest developments, Andretti Global got the green signal to be the 11th team of F1 after they cleared the first hurdle by the FIA. However, they will need Formula 1 management’s consent to field their team on the grid from 2026 officially. Amid this, Lewis Hamilton fans found old statements of Andretti on their favorite driver and are certainly not very happy.
After years of relentless trial and agreement to pay an anti-dilution fee of $200 million, FIA finally allowed Andretti and his team to move forward and have a potential deal. Since they are already backed by Cadillac for their engine, this also acted as an extra advantage for the team.
After approval from the FIA, can Michael Andretti get his entry onto the F1 grid? 🤔#Andretti #FIA #F1 #Formula1 pic.twitter.com/Zq9kOoidLh
— PlanetF1 (@Planet_F1) October 2, 2023
Andretti Global became the only team out of four entrants to get the green flag. However, days after the announcement was made, old statements by Mario Andretti became a hot topic on the internet, and fans left no stone unturned to slam the new potential team boss.
Fans slam Andretti over his old comments on Hamilton
After the announcement of Andretti Global, which was to be the 11th team in the grid, there were positive as well as negative responses from fans. While some rejoiced about how the grid would see a new team and two extra drivers, some fans pointed out the comments made by Andretti.
Given below are some of the reactions shared by fans on X, formerly Twitter:
@stefanie shared Andretti’s problem with Hamilton.
As much as new teams in F1 would be exciting we do not need another old problematic dude who thinks racism in F1 doesn’t exist.
And Andretti is exactly that pic.twitter.com/xTjsw1rHI1— Stefanie (@fastpitstop) October 2, 2023
@turmactorque on Andretti’s militant comment on Hamilton.
I’m all for an 11th team on the grid but I have no time for Andretti. That’s just me, celebrate away.
*and no this isn’t an invitation for debate in my mentions.
(Note: the SS of LH’s tweet wasn’t about Andretti but I feel like the words ring true here) pic.twitter.com/3bf5K0CLgw
— Athena 🏳️🌈 (@tarmactorque) October 2, 2023
However, one should note that it was not Michael Andretti who made the above-cited comments. It was Mario Andretti, his father, with the statement. Michael Andretti, the man responsible for bringing Andretti Global, is not responsible for the comments made above, as a fan pointed out.
What did Mario Andretti say about Lewis Hamilton?
Mario Andretti, the father of Michael Andretti, in his multiple interviews, took digs at Lewis Hamilton. The American former F1 driver did not like the way the seven-time world champion functioned and, therefore, did not hold back from sharing his criticism.
Andretti questioned the British driver’s need to mix politics and sports and use F1 as a platform to stage protests. On this, he said, as per Motorsport.com, “You have to earn the position, you know, and earn it through results and end of story. It’s like that for everyone. You can always make problems that don’t exist, in my opinion.”
Along with these, the 83-year-old also accused the Mercedes driver of making militant comments. He stated that there was no need for the Briton to become a “militant” in his try to bring diversity in the sport and “create a problem that does not exist.”
