Two leading figures in the Formula 1 scene have deviated from the majority to express their hope of welcoming Andretti-Cadillac to the race line-up.
The FIA, earlier this week, approved Andretti’s request to join the pitlane. The next phase, however, hinges on business talks with Liberty Media.
Many of the current ten teams appear to align with F1’s owners, showing reluctance at the prospect of accommodating an additional competitor by 2025.
“As a team, we have no legal opportunity to have a say,” disclosed Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko.
“But our opinion is clear – if the cake is divided by eleven instead of ten, there must be a re-balancing.”
Some opine that even amplifying the ‘new team’ fee from $200m to $600 million might still not sway F1’s stance.
On Thursday, Lawrence Stroll, the owner of Aston Martin, commented: “Our sport has never been in a better place so I think that if it’s ain’t broke, there’s no need to fix it.”
Fernando Alonso, who once took an Andretti Indycar to the track during the 2017 Indy 500, acknowledged in Qatar that it indeed is a “great team”.
“I know Michael and he will be obviously a great name to add to Formula 1,” conveyed the Spaniard. “But there are other people in charge of these kind of decisions, first the FIA and FOM and the teams as well.
“So, you know, I don’t know exactly what to say. I like Michael, I like the organisation, but I also understand other things, and I will support whatever the Aston Martin position is.”
When a similar query was posed to various F1 drivers in Qatar, the majority reciprocated with akin sentiments – commending Andretti, while also showing respect to the viewpoints of F1 and their respective teams.
Nonetheless, Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes presented a differing view.
“There will be those who will not be happy with my support, but I think it’s great,” stated the champion with seven titles under his belt, when broached about Andretti.
“I’ve always felt there aren’t enough cars on the grid. This is an opportunity to create more jobs and the possibility that a female driver will get a seat.”
Max Verstappen of Red Bull, too, voiced a perspective that didn’t mirror his team’s official line.
“From everything I have seen so far, in addition to the partners they have and their name, they have shown that they are a professional team,” the Dutch driver remarked.
“I think it would be good because it offers more opportunities from the drivers’ side. But I can understand that teams don’t want them,” Verstappen noted.
“It’s complicated.”
