F1 reject Andretti bid as chiefs brutally deem new team 'not fit' for competition

Andretti has had its bid to join the Formula One grid in 2026 or 2027 rejected by Formula One Management (FOM). The sport’s commercial arm does not believe the American team would be fit to compete over the next two years, with the current stakeholders arguing that the addition of an 11th team would dilute their earnings.

The FIA, F1’s governing body, gave Andretti the green-light to join the grid over the coming years several months ago. However, Andretti also had to convince FOM that their proposal was in the best interest of the sport.

In a lengthy statement, F1’s current stakeholders said:”Our assessment process has established that the presence of an 11th team would not, on its own, provide value to the Championship.

“The most significant way in which a new entrant would bring value is by being competitive. We do not believe that the applicant would be a competitive participant.

“The need for any new team to take a compulsory power unit supply, potentially over a period of several seasons, would be damaging to the prestige and standing of the Championship.”

That stance could change in 2028 when partner General Motors produces its own engine. GM – which is backing Andretti through its luxury Cadillac brand – has said it plans to build its own F1 engine in time for the 2028 season.

The statement added: “The door to entry has, however, been left open for 2028 by F1 on the proviso that General Motors, the American car giant whose Cadillac brand had been backing Andretti’s entry, joined the bid as a full works team or customer team.”

On the different circumstances, F1 said it “Would look differently on an application for the entry”.

FOM dismissed the belief that Andretti’s name alone would add significant value. It was argued that the Andretti brand – associated with 1978 world champion Mario Andretti and son Michael, an IndyCar legend and brief F1 driver – would boost the value of F1.

“While the Andretti name carries some recognition for F1 fans, our research indicates that F1 would bring value to the Andretti brand rather than the other way around,” the statement continued.

FOM arrived at its decision based on research and analysis involving broadcasters, sponsors and circuits – the sport’s main revenue streams.

The existing F1 teams had made it clear that Andretti’s entry in 2026 or 2027 would dilute their earnings. Current rules state that new entrants must pay an anti-dilution fee of $200m (£158m) to compensate the existing teams but they reportedly believed the sum is insufficient given the values of F1 teams, in the region of $1bn (£788,647).

F1’s statement made no mention of consulting its current teams.

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