(Motorsports news) Last week, motor racing’s governing body approved Andretti Formula’s proposal to join the F1 grid as early as 2025, moving its entry to the last stage of negotiating a commercial arrangement. However, such an agreement is far from certain, with FOM making it clear that it will only sanction an expansion to the current 10-team field if it can be demonstrated that another entrant will bring further benefits to the tournament.
FOM’s hesitation to immediately welcome Andretti has sparked speculation that if it ends up rejecting the American team, the situation might end up in court, potentially involving anti-competition authorities within the EU. However, Ben Sulayem has downplayed the possibility of a legal battle and stated that he is “very optimistic” that the squad would be approved.
“We don’t have to go to court, and I don’t think any of us will go to court,” Ben Sulayem said of the Andretti scenario to selected media outlets. “I mean, it may sound thrilling and exciting to the media, but it will not go to court.” I’m certain of it. “What is the point of going to court?” Although the FIA and FOM appear to be at odds with the topic, with opposing views on the value of Andretti, Ben Sulayem does not envisage a major fallout if things do not move.
Instead, he is adamant that the matter will be handled constructively rather than as a source of public contention. “This union [of the FIA and the FOM]? I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I believe the Pope of the Vatican can get married and divorced 100 times. “But we will not divorce,” he stated.
Fitting an extra team in:
While the financial implications of having an extra team on the grid will be considered by FOM, Ben Sulayem does not see this as a reason to deny the Andretti application. While it is widely assumed that less than half of the current circuits have garage and paddock facilities large enough to support an additional team, Ben Sulayem claims that one of F1’s contracts with circuits requires that they be large enough to accommodate 12 teams.
He cites the fact that F1 has found garage and paddock space at many places for the fictional Apx GP team in the new Brad Pitt film as proof of how simple it is to shoehorn in an extra outfit. “We can afford having another Hollywood team for God’s sake,” he went on to say. “The contracts are crystal clear.” We now have 11 teams working for Hollywood. And when they are finished, there will be space.
“The majority of the contracts are really straightforward. It is safe to be approved and have a place for 12 people. It has been written. “It is the promoter’s and the circuit’s responsibility; it is not our responsibility.” We don’t get involved, but those are the rules. The regulations are not only followed by us; they are followed everywhere. By everyone.”
While some have speculated that Andretti might still enter F1 without a commercial agreement with FOM, therefore racing without prize money, this is regarded to be impossible. According to senior sources, the current Concorde Agreements, which span from 2021 to 2025 and were signed by FOM, the FIA, and teams, include terms requiring any new entrants on the grid to have a commercial deal in place before they can race.
Also read: In 2022, the Red Bull F1 team’s revenue increases by £385 million
