F1: Stefano Domenicali Says F1 Doesn’t Need New Teams Like Andretti

In what can be considered a crippling blow to Andretti Global’s ambitions of joining F1, Stefano Domenicali, the CEO of F1 at Liberty Media has said that there is no pressing need for a new team like Andretti in F1. Andretti Global which is run by former F1 driver Michael Andretti who is also the son of former F1 world champion Mario Andretti has made its ambitions of joining the F1 grid quite clear for over a year. In fact, it tried to acquire the Sauber F1 team last year, an attempt which failed and since then has applied to the FIA to join the paddock, but has faced stiff resistance from incumbent teams as they don’t want a new team coming in and diluting their profit share. 

"I think today in the actual status of F1, it's not a problem of quantity, where we can see a step of increasing the value of F1. It is a matter of understanding really, not only the ones that have a bigger or louder voice, but there will be other people, because Andretti was quite vocal about his request. There are others that have done the same, in a different way,” said Domenicali of the Andretti bid. 

“So the evaluation is not only with Andretti, the evaluation is with others that are respecting the silence on trying to be more productive on proving who they are, and respecting the protocol we have put in place. As I always said I don't believe that it is today the problem of having more teams that will give more value to the championship. But there is a protocol that has to be fulfilled. And everyone, Andretti included, is following that. So this is the situation today. I don't see any changes. And I don't want to say yes or no,” the former Ferrari team boss explained. 

Domenicali was prudent to point out that there were requests from other entrants as well and everyone has been following a process. He also added that any decision will be ultimately made by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. 

Michael Andretti’s father Mario Andretti has been very vocal about the fact that F1 has not openly entertained the potential entry of Andretti. He also said that it would be the greatest failure of his career if Andretti didn’t get into F1.

Andretti has faced resistance from many teams in particular Mercedes where its team boss and CEO Toto Wolff has been against the idea of Andretti entering. Wolff went as far to claim that for a team to enter F1 and be successful immediately $1 billion would be required. Andretti has also found support with its IndyCar partner McLaren and also Alpine whose parent Renault could be one of its partners for engine supply if it were to get into F1. 

Domenicali has suggested the best way for Andretti would be by way of acquiring a current team. Andretti failed to acquire Sauber and by the looks of it there is only one potential team that needs the money for a potential acquisition – Haas. But even Gene Haas has said that he has no intention of selling. 

Sauber is likely to be acquired by Audi which has offered more money, lesser of a stake and also agreed to use its facilities in Hinwil for the operation.