McLaren CEO Zak Brown has denied that Andretti’s unsuccessful attempts to enter Formula 1 demonstrate that the sport has since adopted an anti-American stance.
The prospective American squad received acceptance from the FIA last October, but Formula One Management (FOM) turned down the plans to enter in 2025 or ’26.
FOM raised concerns over Andretti being a competitive participant as soon as 2025 and also doubted the additional value that an 11th team would bring to the sport.
Andretti is pressing on with plans in the background, while the verdict also triggered the US Congress to post a letter to F1 owners Liberty Media demanding answers.
However, Brown has quashed claims that the developing situation has proven there is a potential bias against Andretti or the American sphere in general in the series.
“I don’t think there’s an anti-American culture within Formula 1 at all,” Brown told ESPN.
“When you look at the sport, you’ve got European manufacturers, Ford from North America, and Honda from Japan. The sport is extremely global.
“I’ve never come across any favouritism or negativity towards any region of the world. The whole world participates in Formula 1.”
Brown pointed out how three races in the US and Ford being enticed to return to the sport is evidence that F1 is prepared to welcome growth in the American market.
“Liberty Media, the commercial rights holder of F1, is American,” he acknowledged.
“We’ve gone from one race to three races in America, including the single largest investment Formula 1 has ever made in anything, in Vegas.
“Ford has recently entered the sport [with Red Bull]. I run one of the top teams in the sport. Netflix has been fantastic for the sport globally but specifically in North America.
“And now, we have Brad Pitt, who’s going to do a global movie based in the U.S., which will do wonders for the sport.”
Brown admitted that he could understand Andretti’s frustration over the matter, but stressed that complaints should not be targeted at perceived anti-American ideas.
“I’m sympathetic to the frustration, but the claim that ‘Formula 1 isn’t welcoming America’ is unfortunate,” he added.
“The root issue is between Andretti and Formula 1 about adding value.”
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