At the Formula 1 paddock in Miami, located near the Hard Rock Stadium, which is the home of the Miami Dolphins, there is a gathering of illustrious figures from the world of car racing. Among them, Mario Andretti stands out as one of the most prominent personalities. Despite being 84 years old, Mario exudes vibrant energy and is in high spirits. He is enthusiastic and passionate, especially when talking about his son Michael Andretti’s venture to establish the 11th Formula 1 team in 2026. This project has garnered media attention, with Andretti Global being backed by General Motors and receiving approval from the FIA, although it was rejected by the FOM.
The upcoming Miami Grand Prix weekend has generated significant interest in the American media, as the United States Congress has shown great interest in the sport. Formula 1 is experiencing tremendous growth in the country and, with Liberty Media, an American corporation, holding the commercial rights, it was natural for Congress to investigate what the sport has to offer. The level of attention given to Formula 1 is comparable to that of the Olympics or the World Cup.
Not surprisingly, a congressman raised the question that is on the minds of motorsport enthusiasts around the world: Why is there no American team in Formula 1? Mario Andretti, once again, confirmed that his son Michael’s pursuit of a Formula 1 team is underway and is known in news circles. The Andretti Global F1 project is progressing “full steam ahead,” with the establishment of a new base in Silverstone being the latest development.
It is important to note that the Andretti family did not initiate the letter sent by the United States Congress to Liberty Media, questioning the delay in allowing an American team to join Formula 1.
The letter was led by Representative John James of Michigan and supported by several of his colleagues. The main point of contention expressed in the letter is that it is unfair and misguided to prevent American companies from participating in Formula 1, as this could potentially violate US antitrust laws.
Given this context, the first question posed to Mario was natural: What is the status of Andretti Global’s proposal for Formula 1? In response, Andretti clarified: “Let me be clear, I did not take the matter to Congress. In fact, it was Formula 1 that caught the attention of Congress when they held an exhibition in Washington, DC last week.”
The perception was that the Andretti family brought their case to Congress to provoke the letter to CEO and president of Liberty Media, Greg Maffei. Mario reiterated that this was not the case, stating: “I want to make it clear that they are the ones responsible for attracting Congress’ attention. They asked me to go to Washington and answer some questions. They were curious to know why, despite Formula 1’s clear efforts to establish a stronger presence in America, it is struggling to approve an American team.”
“I did not initiate the trip to Washington. I did not request to speak to any of them. Anyone who thinks otherwise is mistaken. However, when they invited me and asked to meet them, I naturally accepted. Why wouldn’t I?”
“It was a general discussion, and they are aware that we are also in a state of uncertainty and eager for a solution. And that’s all,” revealed Andretti.
One could argue that Formula 1, in its current state, no longer fulfills its claim to be the pinnacle of motorsport. It has become increasingly an exclusive club, where the entry of a new team is practically impossible, thus solidifying the dominance of the current ten teams (or perhaps nine, considering Red Bull’s ownership of two teams) at the top of the motorsport hierarchy.
Consider not only Andretti, but also Toyota, Peugeot, Porsche, BMW, and even Cadillac (partners of Andretti F1) have exceptional operations in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) that also deserve to be in F1 if they wanted to go in that direction.
However, they will encounter a barrier. There is no way in, as all ten spots are filled, permanently or at least for now. There is no way in. And what about the FIA-approved status of Andretti Global? Was it just a formality after that?
After a thorough review of Andretti’s plans to enter F1 and their business strategies, the sport’s governing body stated at the time: “With General Motors on board, F1 cannot reject this entry.” However, they rejected it, at the table of F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.
The shortsightedness of the F1 teams, driven by greed, continues to puzzle Andretti to this day: “From our point of view, it’s hard to understand. We are willing to comply with all the rules and the Concorde Agreement. We were accepted by the FIA.
“Now, if we meet the requirements set out in the current agreement, then we should be in. So far, there has been a lot of discussion and speculation in the media about various things, like numbers, but nothing directly aimed at us.
“This is what needs to be clarified from our point of view. We need to come to a conclusion here, and we demonstrate our readiness and commitment for 2026. That’s all. Our goals are clear. We are entering this with full awareness because we have thoroughly analyzed the situation. We know what needs to be done to fulfill it.”
“They issued a statement in January, but during one of the meetings, we were informed that it was not yet finalized. So please clarify to us what we are overlooking. That’s all. We just need to have a discussion about this and unfortunately, we couldn’t organize it properly. That’s our current situation,” expressed the 1978 Formula 1 World Champion with a sense of regret.
When asked if they considered the option of buying an existing Formula 1 team (like Alpine or VCARB) instead of creating an 11th team, Andretti replied: “No. We are now fully committed to our original plan. We made significant efforts for almost two years to acquire another team, specifically Sauber. That was our initial strategy. We explored all possibilities, but unfortunately none were viable, so we had to change our approach.”
The topic of American drivers, like Colton Herta, being used by the Andretti Global Formula 1 team was also raised, to which Mario explained that it is a long-term goal. He stated: “We need to be realistic. In the future, we will seek to encourage the presence of two American drivers. Initially, our goal is to have at least one, although time passes quickly and nothing can be guaranteed with 100% certainty. You mentioned Colton Herta, who is certainly one of the strong candidates to be one of the drivers in the beginning. The ultimate goal is to provide opportunities for American drivers, especially those trained in the IndyCar Series, to potentially progress to Formula 1,” speculated Andretti.
In conclusion, we have set a date to have a cappuccino together in the Andretti F1 team paddock in Monza in the near future. We all hope we can fulfill this plan without a doubt,” assured Mario, who achieved his first Grand Prix victory as a Ferrari driver in South Africa in 1971.
Interview with Mario Andretti conducted by Nasir Hameed in Miami.
© 2024
The future of sports: a vision for 2025
The world of sports is constantly evolving and adapting to the changing times. As we approach 2025, it is interesting to imagine what the sports landscape will look like in the coming years. Here are some predictions of what to expect:
1. Advanced technology in stadiums: With the advancement of technology, sports stadiums will become true technological wonders. Fans will be able to enjoy immersive experiences, such as virtual and augmented reality, that will transport them to the center of the action. Additionally, artificial intelligence will be widely used to enhance the security and efficiency of stadiums.
2. Electronic sports on the rise: Electronic sports will continue to grow in popularity and become an important part of the sports world. Electronic gaming competitions will attract millions of viewers and players will become true sports stars.
3. Increase in diversity in sports: As society becomes more inclusive, sports will also become more diverse. We will see more women, people from different ethnic backgrounds, and athletes with disabilities competing at a high level. This will open up new opportunities and inspire a generation of young athletes.
4. Sustainability in sports: Concern for the environment will become a priority in sports. Sporting events will adopt sustainable practices, such as reducing plastic use and implementing renewable energies. Athletes will also be encouraged to adopt sustainable lifestyles and use their platform to promote environmental awareness.
5. Increase in the use of data: Data will play an increasingly important role in the world of sports. Coaches and athletes will use advanced analytics to improve performance and make strategic decisions. In addition, fans will have access to real-time statistics and information, making the sports experience even more engaging.
As we approach 2025, it is exciting to think about all the changes and innovations that are coming in the world of sports. With technology advancing rapidly and society becoming more inclusive, the future of sports is certainly going to be exciting and full of surprises.
