The FIA has stressed that they will continue “engaging in dialogue” with Formula One Management (FOM), following their rejection of Andretti’s application to become an 11th F1 team as soon as 2025.
Andretti had received approval from the FIA to be considered by FOM, after they passed a strenuous process to prove that they can be a solid addition to the championship.
Despite impressing the governing body and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, it was announced on Wednesday that their application had been rejected.
However, FOM are open to re-considering Andretti in 2028, if General Motors become a powertrain supplier.
READ: Lewis Hamilton warned to stop crying ‘too much’
Cadillac – a division of GM – previously stated they planned to produce their own power units for the 2028 season and beyond.
The sport’s big issue with Andretti is that they don’t want to expand the grid beyond 10 teams, with FOM believing that having Andretti as an 11th team “would not, in and of itself, provide value to the championship.”
F1’s statement also stressed that they didn’t feel confident that Andretti would be competitive enough and that not enough fans of the pinnacle of single-seater motorsport know who they are.
Andretti and Cadillac both “strongly disagree” with FOM’s reasoning for rejecting them, whilst the FIA are to hold talks with the sport.
“The FIA notes the announcement from Formula One Management in relation to the FIA Formula One world championship teams’ expressions of interest process,” the FIA stated. “We are engaging in dialogue to determine next steps.”
Considering that Andretti has teams in Formula E, IndyCar, Extreme E and other championships, it’s certainly puzzling as to why FOM have stated that they aren’t known by enough people to compete in F1.
READ: V-CARB make major signings including ex-FIA staff
Andretti are arguably one of the most famous teams in the world of motorsport, raising the question as to what any new team needs to do to join the F1 grid?
The American side joining F1 would’ve opened a pathway for IndyCar drivers to join the championship, something which doesn’t currently exist.
Andretti would also likely want an American driver in F1, an essential target for the sport considering that Williams’ Logan Sargeant is the only one on the grid.