The relationship between Formula 1 and the FIA is reaching an all-time low, as neither party seem to agree on whether a new team should be allowed to join the grid.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has previously shut down Michael Andretti’s attempts to become the 11th team on the grid with Andretti Global, suggesting that no matter how appealing the American’s project is, F1 should not risk destabilising itself by expanding the grid.
Despite this previous rejection, Andretti have continued to attempt to join Formula 1 and have now partnered with American car giants General Motors.
This partnership will see Cadillac join forces with Andretti to form Andretti-Cadillac, combining two giants of the motorsport world into a single Formula 1 project.
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FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has revealed that he and his team are looking into the possibility of expanding the F1 grid, and has urged fans to be excited about the prospect of a team as big as Andretti-Cadillac joining the grid.
While some team principals in the paddock have been sceptical about the pros and cons of letting a new team join the sport, McLaren CEO Zak Brown has backed Andretti’s bid, having previously partnered with the team in IndyCar.
“The Andretti name has such a rich history in multiple forms of motorsport,” said the American.
“I think he’s put forward a very compelling proposition. I think it shows the growth of Formula 1.
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“We haven’t had a new team in a long time, since Haas. It’s just great to see Formula 1 attracting new markets, new teams, new sponsors. It’s great to see they want to join the sport, I think he’s put together a compelling team.”
The main concern from the current teams on the grid is that if the new team does not bring in a substantial extra revenue to the sport, the prize pot will simply be split on extra way, meaning everybody gets less.
It is important to note that both F1 and the FIA would have to agree to allow Andretti-Cadillac to join the sport, as neither have the power to expand the grid without the other’s approval.