No F1 team interested in a takeover by Andretti
Formula 1 is a highly sought-after sport at the moment and it is holding up well despite the various crises. So much so that none of the teams want to sell their structure, explained Michael Andretti, the boss of the eponymous Indycar team who wants to enter F1.
It has been known for some time that the Andretti Motorsport team has submitted an application to join Formula 1. The team of the 1978 Formula 1 world champion has partnered with the General Motors group. The American candidacy is supported by the FIA, but in order to enter F1, the possibility of acquiring an existing structure was also considered as a solution.
Before wanting to become the 11th team on the Formula 1 grid, Michael Andretti, director of the Andretti Motorsport group, could buy a Formula 1 team.
« We tried. No one is interested. We have been in all the teams. They keep saying « well, buy a team », and nobody wants to sell! You go there, and they’re not even interested in talking. I went there, I did that, and I’m not happy. » declared the son of the 1978 world champion at the Sardinia X-Prix.
For the team owner already present in Indycar and Formula E, buying a team is very complicated. « Everyone has their own reasons for why they do things, they try to protect their own interests. Everyone has taken care of themselves. And that was the most important thing when I said that I was criticized because I didn’t agree with that. If I were in their situation, I would probably do the same thing. So I don’t blame the teams. They will all look at the situation for themselves because that’s what they need to do to be competitive » the American continued.
Andretti could become the 11th team in 2026
Formula 1 teams are rather opposed to the arrival of an additional team, this is not directly related to the Andretti Cadillac team but to financial reasons. The teams do not want to divide the revenue generated by F1 with an additional team. « It is a very, very expensive sport. There is a lot of involvement and a lot of commitment from each team. They must therefore ensure that this is protected, and I understand that this is what they are trying to do. But in the end, it will not be them who make the decision. It will be up to the series and the FIA to decide if they think it is the right thing to do. »
The head of the Andretti group believes that his candidacy is nevertheless on track. « I think we have checked all the boxes. I feel good, but feeling good and reality are always two different things. I think we have everything we need to be competitive and respectful and to add to the series. » he stated during the X-Prix of Sardinia.
Michael Andretti denies the rumors that General Motors is just lending its name. « General Motors is very, very involved in this. People are trying to say, “Well, they’re just putting their name on it.” No, it’s a very, very important part of the whole team, and a part of the team. I think once everything is made public about what we’ve submitted, you’ll see that there is a great involvement. » explained the boss of the Indycar team.
