Mario Andretti has dismissed the idea of buying an existing team into the trash. According to the American, taking over one of the current Formula 1 teams is simply not an option because none of them are for sale. Andretti hopes that the partnership with Cadillac will eventually convince Formula 1 that the American team is serious about entering the premier class of motorsport.
Since Andretti Autosport has announced that it wants to take the step to Formula 1, the American team has already encountered resistance. The F1 teams, with the exception of McLaren and Alpine, are not prepared to hand over part of the prize pool to an eleventh team. The proposal to buy an existing team then rejects the 1978 world champion. “The fact is that none of the current teams are for sale,” he told PlanetF1. “Michael and his team have already looked at that scenario extensively and nothing is available.”
The former world champion cannot give a clear answer to the suggestion that Andretti’s entry into Formula 1 be stopped so that negotiations on the increase in the entry fee can be completed. ‘I have no idea what exactly is going on. What is of the utmost importance to us is that we can be on the grid in 2025 at least.”
Andretti hopes that Cadillac’s support will bring Formula 1 over the line
In January, Andretti Autosport announced a partnership with Cadillac. With Cadillac on board, the American hopes to get more support. “The partnership with Cadillac shows how serious we are.” Andretti therefore hopes to be on the grid in 2025. According to him, this was also part of the deal with the American brand. “Cadillac wants to make sure we have at least one year of experience before the new regulations go into effect. Then they join us and then we have everything in place.’
