Michael Andretti spoke completely to Sky Sports F1 after his team’s bid to enter Formula 1 was authorised earlier in October by the FIA; watch Qualifying tonight at 10pm for Sunday’s Grand Prix on Sky Sports F1, with build-up from 9pm, forward of Sprint Saturday in Austin
Last Updated: 20/10/23 8:29pm
Michael Andretti believes his team, Andretti Autosport, can deliver extra into Formula 1 as he goals to achieve entry into the game in 2025
Michael Andretti says opposition to his team’s potential entry to Formula 1 is “a mystery” and that they “have the right to be on the grid” after sealing FIA approval.
Earlier in October, Andretti have been authorised to grow to be a brand new eleventh team by the game’s governing physique, however now should agree phrases from the incumbent groups and FOM, the controllers of F1’s industrial rights.
Most team principals have repeatedly expressed opposition to Andretti’s entry, with the present squads suggesting that the American team won’t deliver sufficient further worth to the game to justify the proportion of earnings they might take away from the present break up.
“Thank you to the FIA and the president of the FIA for putting the expression of interest out there,” Andretti instructed Sky Sports F1 on the United States Grand Prix in Austin on Friday.
“It was very vigorous, it was a very tough thing to go through for our team and I’m proud to say we came out on top in every category, and we’re very proud of that.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem believes the addition of the Andretti team to F1 would enhance the sport
“It undoubtedly reveals that now we have the precise to be right here on the grid, and we’re enthusiastic about that.
“We think we have something really to offer to Formula 1 fans.”
‘Hopefully we deliver in additional than we take away’
F1’s restrict of 12 groups up to and together with the 2025 season, as said by the present Concorde Agreement, the doc which binds the game’s guidelines and governance collectively, has led the FIA to search the addition of a minimum of yet another squad.
Former American racing driver Andretti, who gained the US CART championship and had a quick stint in F1 with McLaren within the Nineteen Nineties, is fronting the bid from his team, which races in different motorsport disciplines, in collaboration with General Motors model Cadillac.
The drivers have their say on the prospect of the Andretti team gaining entry to the game, after the FIA authorised the American outfit’s bid to be a part of
Asked concerning the stern opposition that has been expressed by present groups, Andretti added: “I don’t know. It’s a mystery to me in some ways, why they’re pushing back.
“They say we’re slicing the pie, however I believe the purpose is, hopefully we deliver in additional than we’re taking away, and we actually imagine that.
“If you look at the fan support on all of the surveys that have been done, we think that we’re going to add to it, not take away.”
Wind-tunnel time deliberate with 2025 goal in thoughts
Andretti mentioned the team are persevering with to goal at a 2025 entry to F1, and their preparations embody having constructed a automotive to the 2023 specification, which they may be testing in a wind tunnel subsequent week.
“At the moment we’re still shooting for 2025,” Andretti mentioned.
“Our automotive is really going to be in a wind tunnel subsequent week, so now we have a automotive already constructed up in 2023 spec.
Aston Martin CEO, Lawrence Stroll says he is against Andretti joining Formula 1, insisting the sport is ‘on fire’ with its current 10 teams
“We’re flat out, we’re constructing a team. At the second it is 2025, may be 2026, however we’ll see.”
Andretti’s legendary father Mario, the 1978 F1 world champion, is also involved with the project and said the sport’s status as “the Olympics of motorsport” is driving the family’s ambition.
“Motor racing has been our life,” he said.
“I’m so pleased with Michael for his ambition, to be in all the foremost disciplines. That’s it, that is how we make a residing. I’ve been feeding my household by motor racing from day one, and that is how we go.
“This is our life, so we want to be at the pinnacle. Formula 1 is the Olympics of motorsport, so that’s where we want to be.”
Watch Formula 1 return to Texas for the United States Grand Prix and one other Sprint weekend stay on Sky Sports F1 this weekend Stream F1 on Sky Sports with NOW
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