Audi F1 boss claims nationality doesn’t play decisive role in F1 after US Congress’ focus on Andretti-Cadillac rejection

Alessandro Alunni Bravi insisted that nationality was not the reason for Andretti-Cadillac's rejection.

Audi F1 boss claims nationality doesn’t play decisive role in F1 after US Congress’ focus on Andretti-Cadillac rejection

Michael Andretti, Audi showcar (C) (images via IMAGO).

Andretti-Cadillac‘s bid to enter Formula 1 was officially rejected a couple of months ago. However, the American constructor hasn’t yet given up on the dreams of joining the pinnacle of sport. Andretti has received the support of multiple people on the grid and even the US Congress. Regardless, Formula 1 is unlikely to budge over their decision. Hence, Sauber’s team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi reckoned that the team’s ‘nationality’ had no role in the team’s rejection.

Andretti-Cadillac was recently in the news as 12 members of the US Congress approached Formula 1 over their decision to decline Andretti’s entry. Hence, the Sauber (soon to be Audi) boss, Alessandro Alunni Bravi accepted that it was important for a government to support national companies. However, the Italian mentioned that F1 wouldn’t reject it if the conditions of the team joining were right.

I can understand that it can be important for a government to support companies from its own country. But I think this is a question that we in Formula 1 have to answer, from the bodies that are authorized to do so 'to make such a decision.' If the conditions are right, Formula 1 won't reject it.
Alessandro Alunni Bravi said, as reported by motorsport-total.com.
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The Sauber representative claimed that the sport didn’t want to exclude anyone but welcomed any project who created additional value for F1. Alluni Bravi reckoned that nationality didn’t matter for any team to join Formula 1, which has been rumored to be the reason for Andretti’s rejection. Alessandro Alunni Bravi mentioned how Nico Hulkenberg‘s German nationality didn’t play the decisive role when German carmaker Audi signed him for 2025.

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We don't want to exclude anyone. On the contrary: we welcome anyone who visibly creates additional value. Audi is a German manufacturer that produces its drive in Germany and [from 2026] as a German team But nationality wasn't important [for Hülkenberg]. It was about performance.
Alessandro Alunni Bravi noted.

Alessandro Alunni Bravi hints Formula 1 ‘doesn’t need’ another American team

The Haas F1 team is currently the only American team on the Formula 1 grid. Hence, Andretti’s addition would create yet another American team. The sport already races in America on three different weekends. Additionally, the American involvement has brought in major investment in the sport. However, Alluni Bravi felt that this shouldn’t be the sole reason for adding Andretti on the grid.

Michael Andretti.
Michael Andretti (via IMAGO)

Alessandro Alunni Bravi pointed out that Haas F1 team was already present on the grid, claiming that the large American involvement didn’t mean that the sport needed yet another American team. The Italian also recalled that the sport raced in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, yet didn’t have a national team from the country. Hence, according to the Sauber boss, the sport was alright without the addition of Andretti for now.

Just because we have three USA races and many US companies are involved in F1 doesn't automatically mean that we also need a team from the USA. We already have one: Haas. And we have nor any teams from Saudi Arabia or Qatar, just because we are racing there.
Alessandro Alunni Bravi concluded.

Andretti-Cadillac will continue to hope for an F1 entry by the regulation changes of the 2026 season. The team was suggested to follow the same path as Audi and acquire a team on the grid. However, Andretti is adamant on joining the grid as the 11th team. Hence, the American team will closely follow the F1 activities to figure out a way to join the grid.

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