Andretti has been striving to secure a place on the Formula 1 grid for a considerable period!
Michael Andretti (via IMAGO)
In a resolution of commercial terms, the FIA granted permission for 12 F1 teams to participate in the sport, despite the imposition of a $200 million anti-dilution fee. To acquire additional entries, the governing body initiated a bidding process, with Andretti being the sole potential candidate.
However, Andretti’s attempt to enter F1 was unsuccessful at the end of January. Decision-makers argued that the Andretti group did not bring any added value to the series and expressed doubts about the American team’s ability to compete, leading to the rejection of their entry.
The Concorde Agreement, which is set to be signed from 2026 to 2030, has faced criticism for its potential to hinder operations and prevent grid expansion due to the increased value of F1 and its teams. According to a well-known reporter, F1 and the teams intend to limit the number of competitors to ten, thus requiring new participants to purchase existing entries to participate.
Despite the recent setback, Andretti and General Motors remain optimistic about their future entry for an Andretti Cadillac entry. The team’s competitiveness is expected to improve in 2028 with the inclusion of General Motors’ power unit and substantial financial support.
As mentioned earlier, in 2025 or 2026, Andretti and General Motors Cadillac made an initial attempt to join the grid by completing the initial stages of the FIA registration process, but their entry was rejected by the FOM. Furthermore, their second attempt to take over Sauber and join the grid was also unsuccessful. However, Andretti did not give up on his F1 aspirations, as evidenced by the opening of his new facility in Silverstone.
After the opening of the new facility, the Andretti Group issued an official statement!
Michael Andretti and his father recently leased the newly built factory in Silverstone Park in Towcester, which is located near the Silverstone circuit and the Aston Martin F1 facility. The 48,000 square foot facility will house the current 80-person Andretti Cadillac team in the UK. This marks a significant milestone for the team, as the independent property provides the opportunity for the group to expand its operations and work towards a possible future entry.
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