Andretti Global clears first hurdle to join Formula One as an 11th team with FIA expansion approval

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American racing legend Michael Andretti has achieved a significant milestone in his ambitious endeavor to establish a Formula One team. The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) confirmed on Monday that Andretti Global has met all the necessary requirements to expand the esteemed motorsport series to accommodate an 11th team.

However, it’s important to note that this decision from the FIA doesn’t guarantee Andretti’s immediate entry into Formula One with a two-car team, as his team, Andretti Global, and its partner, Cadillac, still face the challenge of demonstrating their commercial viability to F1’s rights holder, Liberty Media, as well as the existing teams. It’s worth noting that the existing teams do not possess the authority to vote on expanding the grid.

F1 released a statement acknowledging the FIA’s conclusions, stating, “We note the FIA’s conclusions in relation to the first and second phases of their process and will now conduct our own assessment of the merits of the remaining application.”

This approval from the FIA marks a pivotal step in Michael Andretti’s three-year journey to reintroduce one of the most iconic names in racing history to the pinnacle of motorsport. His father, Mario Andretti, achieved the remarkable feat of winning the F1 championship in 1978, while Michael himself competed in 13 races during the 1993 season.

The Andretti family holds a distinguished place in American open-wheel racing history, with Mario and Michael Andretti ranking third and fourth, respectively, on IndyCar’s all-time win list. Their longstanding ambition to reestablish the Andretti name in Formula One is now one step closer to realization, aided by the support of FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who assumed the role of FIA head in late 2021, initiated an “expression of interest” process earlier this year to consider potential new teams, following Andretti’s request to expand the grid for new entrants. This request came after an unsuccessful bid in 2021 to purchase an existing team.

The initial phase of this process garnered seven applicants, with five proceeding to the second round, which involved a $300,000 fee and a comprehensive evaluation by F1’s governing body. Ultimately, only four applicants successfully completed the entire process, and Andretti, with plans to utilize General Motors engines under the Cadillac banner, emerged as the sole qualified applicant.

To secure approval, the applicant had to meet the FIA’s rigorous sporting, technical, and financial requirements and demonstrate their potential value to the sport. Ben Sulayem emphasized that their objective was to approve only those prospective entries that met the established criteria and promised to enhance the sport.

Notably, many of the existing teams have publicly voiced their opposition to grid expansion, even in the presence of an American entrant with the General Motors branding. They argue that their significant investments in F1 should not be diluted by new entrants. A mandatory $200 million anti-dilution fee is in place for any new team, further intensifying the debate over expansion.

Some existing teams, such as Red Bull and Mercedes, contend that if Michael Andretti is determined to have a presence in F1, he should explore the option of purchasing an existing team, similar to Gene Haas, who established the only American-owned team in 2016.

Michael Andretti, on the other hand, has expressed his intention to create a genuine American team with a homegrown driver and the backing of General Motors and an American sponsor.

Ben Sulayem firmly supports the Andretti initiative, emphasizing that the Andretti name and General Motors’ involvement bring substantial value to the series and should not be outright rejected. Importantly, Andretti’s participation does not entail a financial stake in F1’s profits, as is the case with Liberty Media and the existing teams.

Ben Sulayem also noted that the process of inviting new teams had garnered further interest from prominent automotive companies such as Audi, Honda, Ford, Porsche, and General Motors.

This marks the third occasion that the FIA has opened an expressions of interest process for prospective teams. The first attempt in 2009 resulted in four teams joining the series, but they eventually went bankrupt and are no longer part of Formula One. Consequently, the criteria for joining F1 and the entire application process have become considerably more stringent.

Gene Haas successfully entered his team in the 2014 expression of interest process and continues to participate in the F1 grid.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Formula One Expansion

More about Formula One Expansion

• Formula One Official Website: For official news and updates on Formula One.
• Andretti Autosport: The official website of Andretti Autosport, providing information about Michael Andretti and his racing endeavors.
• Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA): The official website of the FIA, the governing body of motorsport, for authoritative information on their decisions and activities.
• Liberty Media: The official website of Liberty Media, the rights holder of Formula One, where developments in F1 can be found.
• IndyCar Official Website: For more information about IndyCar racing, where the Andretti family has a significant presence.
• Red Bull Racing: The official website of the Red Bull Racing team, one of the prominent Formula One teams mentioned in the text.
• Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team: The official website of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, another leading team in Formula One.
• Gene Haas’ Formula One Team: Information about Gene Haas, who launched the only American-owned Formula One team in recent years.
• General Motors: The official website of General Motors, which is mentioned in the context of Andretti’s potential involvement in Formula One.
• Mohammed Ben Sulayem: Information about Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the FIA president mentioned in the text.