Even though Andretti is still waiting for a commitment from the FIA that the new Formula 1 team can start in 2024 and is facing a lot of headwind, Michael Andretti is far from giving up on his dream and the project. On the contrary: The team works tirelessly to make it into the grid despite all the obstacles.
“We really do our best, every single day,” emphasizes Mario Andretti, the father of team boss Michael Andretti, on “Sky”. According to him, the team works every day to get the official confirmation. “And we continue as if we already have it.”
The 1978 World Champion knows that his son is taking a big risk because there is no guarantee that you will be accepted into Formula 1. “But we want to do it that badly,” he sees the efforts as a sign.
He continues to hope that the FIA will get a signal that Andretti is a serious project. The Americans had announced in the spring that they wanted to come to Formula 1 as an independent team in 2024 and wanted to have a timely commitment for their plans.
However, the plans were met with a very cold reception. Most other teams are opposed to entering because they fear for their share of the pie, despite a $200 million set entry fee that will be split among existing teams.
And Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali had already emphasized several times that Formula 1 does not need an additional team and prefers to rely on its ten existing racing teams.
Andretti stressed that they had the support of FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and went ahead with their plans unperturbed. Among other things, the construction of its own Formula 1 factory in Indianapolis should start in August.
“We’re spending money to get the ball rolling because we think hopefully we’ll get the deal,” Michael Andretti said in May. “We’re taking a risk, but we think it’s worth the risk because we have to get the ball rolling.”
Apparently nothing has changed about that. But not because of the lack of commitment either…