Michael Andretti is surprised by the scepticism of some Formula One team bosses about his planned entry and assures: “We’re not watering it down “
Michael Andretti has admitted that he was surprised by the negative reaction of some Formula One teams to his plans to enter the premier class. “I really was. I thought it would be a no-brainer to just get going. But obviously nothing in Formula One is like that,” said the 59-year-old.
The US-based driver has submitted an application to the FIA to join Formula One from 2024 and hopes to receive a response by next month so he can begin preparations. While some current Formula One teams believe Andretti’s arrival would be extremely positive, others are more sceptical.
Toto Wolff (Mercedes) and Christian Horner (Red Bull) made it clear that they do not think Andretti should be readily accepted. “Andretti is a name, that’s for sure. And the American market is important. But any team that comes in has to add value,” Wolff said.
Andretti dismisses Wolff fears
This must not only consist of paying the 200 million dollar entry fee. Rather, Andretti must show “what he can do for the other teams, for Formula One and for the FIA”, the Mercedes team boss stressed. “Only then will the sport grow.”
For his part, Andretti stressed, “Hopefully people understand that we don’t want to water anything down. That’s what Toto says – we are diluting. No, we’re not doing that. “
“First of all, we’re bringing in $200 million, and secondly, we think we’re going to bring in more than $100 million into the coffers here in the US alone with an American team and an American driver,” he calculates.
Negotiations with Alfa Romeo “a joke “
The US American has decided to enter the race with his own team after talks with Alfa Romeo over a takeover fell through at the last minute last year. Looking back on what happened, the 59-year-old admits the situation was difficult for him to accept.
“It was a joke,” Andretti says. “We were ready to go. It was done. We had a signing day scheduled and literally two days before they changed the terms. Basically, they still wanted to keep control. I said, ‘No, they can’t keep control,'” he reveals.
“Suddenly they wanted a veto on everything. It was terrible. We wasted so much time. If we hadn’t done that, we’d be much further along on everything else.”
He has also approached Gene Haas, Andretti continues. But so far he has always been rebuffed by the Haas team owner. “Gene Haas would not sell,” Andretti is sure. “I’ve asked five or six times. “
