F1 reportedly approached with drastic proposal to solve Andretti-Cadillac problem

F1 has been given a bold solution to fix the problem of restricting new teams from joining the grid.

F1 reportedly approached with drastic proposal to solve Andretti-Cadillac problem

Stefano Domenicali (L) | Michael Andretti (R)

Andretti Cadillac‘s bid had been rejected by Formula One Management (FOM). However, the sport received a lot of backlash over this decision due to non-satisfactory reasons for declining the bid. The American constructor has not yet given up on the dream of racing at the pinnacle of motorsports. Hence, amidst the ongoing season, F1 has been approached with a drastic proposal to allow Andretti Cadillac.

Andretti Cadillac was recently in the news as US Congress lodged multiple questions to F1 and Liberty Media over the rejection. Subsequently, according to Racingnews365, two technical stalwarts, Tim Milne and Lewis Butler approached F1 with a drastic proposal. The proposal would allow the addition of three new teams on the grid but with a major twist. The teams shouldn’t enter F1 as ‘constructors’ rather as something else.

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The new teams’ headquarters should not be somewhere currently represented by an F1 team, so ideally Asia, Americas, etc. The ‘non-constructor’ teams would not score championship points, nor have a take in the prize money according to the proposal. However, they will still compete in eight races with 26 cars on the grid to foster development in their ‘home market.’ Also, the chassis would be provided by the same supplier and not built on their own.

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The teams will be granted paddock presence in all races with an emphasis on recruitment, facilities, and infrastructure for the market. The car should also focus on the ‘on-track performance’ for the eight races that they will be a part of. In the first three years, the team would have to showcase their skills and surpass a set threshold of revenue generation. Only then from the fourth year would the team be allowed to join the grid as a constructor.

The additional teams should also pose some great competition to the rival teams on the grid to be considered. This idea might be considered extreme by a majority of the people. However, such a plan could allow the entry of more under represented regions into the sport. Formula 1 currently dominated by European teams based predominantly in the UK.

Tim Milne labelS Andretti as one of the ‘best-known motorsport brand’ in the world

Tim Milne recalled the time when Andretti Cadillac was rejected by FIA and FOM. The Briton mentioned that he took a step back and looked at the entire picture, and the reasons behind the rejection. According to FIA and FOM, it was impossible to achieve Andretti’s goal within a three-year timespan. Hence, Milne had to step in and propose such a solution.

When Andretti was rejected in January, I took a step back and looked at what that meant, which was that the FIA and Formula One Management had effectively concluded it was not possible to start a Formula 1 team, and for it to achieve what they wanted it to achieve, in a three-year timespan.
Tim Milne said, as reported by racingnews365.com.
Michael Andretti and Zak Brown
Michael Andretti and Zak Brown (Via IMAGO)

Milne subsequently asserted that Andretti is one of the best-known motorsport brands in the world. Still, the constructor was rejected from joining the Formula 1 grid as a ‘true American team’. Additionally, Milne’s LYKSUNZ idea with a $1.5 Billion budget and three-year growth plan wasn’t enough. Hence, the conclusion was drawn that it was fundamentally impossible to start an F1 team in under three years.

We had in Andretti, one of the best-known motorsport brands in the world, backed by GM, that couldn't get in. We had LKYSUNZ, with one-and-a-half-billion dollars, and a three-year plan to grow the sport in south-east Asia, and that wasn't enough.
Tim Milne noted.

Hence, FIA and FOM might reconsider Andretti’s entry by 2026 if the team continues to receive such support. However, as things currently are, the authorities might not consider such a bizarre solution. The reason is that the sport is smoothly flowing currently under the current situation. As a result, it would be highly unlikely to consider putting such a solution under effect for Andretti’s entry.

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