Aston Martin executive chairman Lawrence Stroll doesn’t want to see Andretti given permission to join the Formula 1 paddock, with the billionaire believing that the sport is “working really well with 10 teams”.
Andretti were recently granted permission by the FIA to join F1, with it now being down to the sport itself to make the final decision on whether the American outfit become the 11th team on the grid.
Whilst they’ve received significant support from the FIA and the governing body’s president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, they’ve received nothing more than harsh words from the F1 paddock itself.
McLaren and Alpine are really the only two teams to have spoken positively about Andretti potentially joining the grid, something owner Michael Andretti has worked tirelessly to make a reality.
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The team’s owner has previously attempted to buy other teams, in a bid to join F1.
As of yet, Andretti are the only new side to be granted permission by the FIA to join the pinnacle of single-seater motorsport but as mentioned, it’s F1 who make the final decision.
Several teams are against Andretti joining F1 as it’d result in the prize fund being divided 11 ways, rather than 10.
As a result, most of the teams are concerned that they’ll receive less money should Andretti join the sport, putting them against the Americans entering.
Stroll is certain that F1 shouldn’t grant Andretti entry as the sport is in a great place, with the Canadian not seeing why it should be changed.
“I think F1, at the moment, the business is on fire,” Stroll said to Sky.
“The sport has never been in a better place. I believe if it isn’t broken, you don’t need to fix it.
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“So, I’m a strong believer that it’s working really well with 10 teams right now. And I believe that’s the way it should stay.”
The FIA in particular are very keen for new teams to join F1, with there being room for two new teams.
It means one slot will be left available if Andretti are successful, with the Americans keen to join the series in 2025, ahead of the new power unit regulations in 2026.