Whereas the 2024 Method 1 season appears to be offering loads of drama on the observe, one other main story continues to off the observe. The proposed Andretti-Cadillac partnership has supplied no scarcity of twists and turns, taking F1 followers from the halls of america Congress and past.
The newest twist within the saga comes from Fédération Internationale de l’Car (FIA) President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who throughout the Monaco Grand Prix supplied an answer to the gridlock over the proposed Andretti-Cadillac staff. Whereas the FIA authorised the bid from Andretti-Cadillac to hitch the F1 grid, Method One Administration (FOM), the game’s business rights holders, rejected the proposed staff earlier this yr.
Talking in Monaco with Reuters, Ben Sulayem supplied this answer: Andretti-Cadillac can buy an current staff.
“I’ve little doubt FOM and Liberty [Media — F1’s ownership group] would like to see different groups so long as they’re OEMs [Original Equipment/Car Manufacturers],” stated Ben Sulayem in Monaco. “I might advise them [Andretti-Cadillac] to go and purchase one other staff, to not come because the eleventh staff.”
In response to the FIA President, it comes right down to a matter of high quality, not amount.
“I really feel that some groups must be refreshed. What is healthier? To have 11 groups as a quantity or 10 and they’re sturdy? I nonetheless consider we should always have extra groups however not any groups. The best groups,” added Ben Sulayem.
“It’s not concerning the quantity, it’s concerning the high quality.”
President Ben Sulayem then identified how some groups at the moment on the grid are “struggling,” and that there’s a sure attraction to a very American staff on the Method 1 grid. In the intervening time Haas is the one American staff, however present drivers Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hülkenberg are from Denmark and Germany, respectively.
A significant pitch with the Andretti-Cadillac bid is that it will likely be a real American operation. Past the connection with Normal Motors, Michael Andretti famous when the partnership was introduced in January of 2023 that the aim could be to have American drivers. “[An] American producer behind an American staff with an American driver would be the greatest story of the yr,” Andretti informed media, together with SB Nation, on a convention name final yr.
“With out mentioning names, there are groups that are struggling…scuffling with efficiency, struggling even with administration,” stated Ben Sulayem to Reuters. “It’s about having the proper staff, to not lose an opportunity or a possibility the place somebody like GM [General Motors] with a PU [power unit] is coming to Method One.
“Think about the influence. We have now three races in America. We have now such an enormous fan base. However we don’t have a correct [American] staff,” added Ben Sulayem. “I’m so blissful to have Ford in [with Red Bull from 2026] however think about having GM and picture having American drivers.”
FIA President Ben Sulayem was not the one key determine within the sport to supply this answer in Monaco. Talking forward of the Monaco Grand Prix Purple Bull Crew Principal Christian Horner additionally advised that the “pure answer” for Andretti-Cadillac was to buy an current staff.
“I feel Andretti is a superb racing heritage,” stated Horner to assembled media in Monaco. “Mario is a legend of the game and naturally, [they are partnered with] Cadillac, the massive automotive producer from the US.
“I feel Method 1 have stated in 2028, in the event that they had been to return with their very own engine, they’d clearly evaluate it however I feel along with that, I feel that if Andretti had been to wish to come, a little bit like Audi acquired Sauber, I feel to guard the present franchises’ stability that we’ve got within the sport, then, clearly, their finest path to the aim is to accumulate one of many current groups.”
Regardless of FOM’s choice to disclaim Andretti-Cadillac a spot on the F1 grid, the potential staff has cast forward with their F1 operation. Andretti-Cadillac opened a brand new facility in Silverstone, close to the positioning of the British Grand Prix, and not too long ago introduced the signing of Pat Symonds, a transfer that despatched shockwaves by the game. Symonds, who has a long time of expertise in F1 and is coming off seven years as F1’s Chief Technical Officer, will be part of the staff after a quick gardening interval.
Whether or not he joins the potential eleventh staff on the grid, or a staff that may look to buy an current staff as beneficial by FIA President Ben Sulayem, stays to be seen.
