Talks about a new F1 team joining the grid in the near future have been very strong as of late. In fact, in 2022, Audi confirmed that they would enter the sport but it was later revealed that they would potentially take over the Sauber group, which will lose its Alfa Romeo tag. A lot of teams have been against a new team joining the sport, including Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.
The likes of Volkswagen and Andretti have been rumored to join F1, with the latter showing strong interest. Andretti’s owner Michael Andretti confirmed earlier in 2022 that he did have talks with the FIA regarding this.
The Andretti name is huge in motorsports, and it would certainly help to have another American team in F1 from a commercial point of view. However, Wolff feels that if they don’t bring enough money in, it would make all the existing F1 teams suffer.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff wants FIA to check if teams can bring in money
It’s no secret that F1 is a sport that runs on money. More often than not, the richer and financially stronger teams make better cars that go on to win races and Championships. The occasional underdog story adds a feel-good factor to the sport, but how much money a team brings in is a huge factor.
Andretti coming into F1 means that they will eat up a chunk of the profit that goes to all F1 teams after a season. While that is not an issue on its own, Wolff is concerned about how much money they contribute to F1. If the new team brings in lesser money for the sport, it means that all other teams will lose 10% of their share.
F1 teams are given $36 million each as part of their profit share. If Andretti join, Wolff fears that they will eat up a minimum of $32 million without significant returns.
“If a team comes in, how can you prove they’re bringing in more money than they’re costing?” Wolff said as quoted by motorsport. “Because the 11th team means a 10% dilution for all the others.”
Also read: Fernando Alonso wants Aston Martin to spend $42 million on each driver for this purpose
