Alpine has revealed it has had no discussions with Andretti regarding an engine deal since Formula 1 referred the Amercian outfit’s proposed bid to join the sport to 2028.
Part of Andretti’s bid to enter from 2026 involved running using a customer power unit before a General Motors-prepared Cadillac engine programme would be brought online.
As the current power unit manufacturer with the fewest customers, Alpine was understood to be the candidate to supply Andretti had its initial bid passed muster with FOM.
Andretti had a deal in place with Alpine that had since expired, but prior to FOM’s decision, Famin admitted that talks could reopen if the eponymous team’s bid was successful.
Speaking to press including Motorsport Week at the launch of its 2024 F1 car, Alpine Team Principal Bruno Famin said that further conversations had not been held with Andretti.
“We had a pre-contract and after nothing happened,” said Famin.
“But it was, as I said before, it was related to the fact for Andretti to have this entry. For the time being, they have no entry.
“I read like you what FOM said about 2028. Let’s see what will be the future after that. Since FOM has given its answer, I have no discussion at all.”
The expansion of the F1 grid to 11 teams has caused the majority of teams to voice concerns regarding the spreading of prize funds contributing to a diluted pot.
FOM also felt that the proposed bid didn’t add the necessary value to the championship without the guaranteed addition of GM to produce a combined factory effort.
Famin’s stance on the matter when asked at the A524 launch also revolved around the value of any new competitors.
“The view is still the same, it’s still unchanged,” he began. “We are very happy about having an 11th team in F1 if they bring real added value to the championship.
“And it was to Formula One, to FOM, to evaluate what was the added value of that project. They made an analysis, they gave their answer.
“They are the ones who decide, and we are happy with that.
“I think it’s a case by case, it’s not a general position. Again, if Formula One says one day that an 11 team can bring a lot of added value to the championship, we will be very happy with that.”
… Andretti isn’t F1 material. Everybody knows it. He’s never constructed his own chassis, much less has he ever erected foundry, for his own engine program. Strictly a spec-racer guy, racing off-the-shelf equipment, he is not (NOT) the guy General Motors people would otherwise tap, for a foray into F1. If the GM people were truly serious about F1? Then, they would have come to FiA, direct without hesitation, engine in hand, their own chassis on the drawing board, not sheepishly and halfheartedly, through their Cadillac subsidiary, hiding in the underpants of Michael Andretti – asj.