FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem says prospective entries, such as Andretti-Cadillac, should be encouraged into Formula 1 rather than criticised.
Andretti announced on Thursday that it has partnered with General Motors, through its luxury Cadillac brand, to form a prospective Formula 1 team.
It is the latest step in Andretti’s attempts to enter the championship, having revealed plans to create its own squad in early 2022, a few months after its proposed takeover of Sauber fell through.
Andretti-Cadillac’s announcement came a few days after Ben Sulayem instructed the governing body to evaluate an Expressions of Interest process for new teams.
Ben Sulayem welcomed the Andretti-Cadillac proposal but Formula 1 itself issued a different stance, outlining that “we all want to ensure the championship remains credible and stable” and explained that conversations are ongoing with other parties.
None of the existing 10 teams have commented publicly on the Andretti-Cadillac proposal while it is understood that Formula 1 would not permit any new entry until 2026 at the earliest.
On Sunday, while not mentioning any specific party, Ben Sulayem took to social media to express his view that “it is surprising that there has been some adverse reaction to the Cadillac and Andretti news.”
“The FIA has accepted the entries of smaller, successful organisations in recent years.
“We should be encouraging prospective F1 entries from global manufacturers like GM and thoroughbred racers like Andretti and others.
“Interest from teams in growth markets adds diversity and broadens F1’s appeal.”
Formula 1 has not welcomed a new team since Haas’ arrival, in 2016, a year before Liberty Media completed its takeover of the championship.
Absolutely they should incourage more teams in F1. Part of what made F1 so great to begin with was when teams actually had to qualify at each race just to get a grid spot. Was great when there was 30+ entries, and only 26 made the cut.
NO ANDRETTI’S…they are a Joke! Now, after all these years…they want to cash om on Mario’s reputation that was decades ago…
They are not significant enough to be a player!
Just Say NO!
Ben Sulayem needs to take control of things and start sacking people who are blocking progress, beginning with the spineless yesman to vested interests Domenicali.