Mario Andretti claims Andretti F1 bid to have ‘key meeting’ with FOM to overturn 2026 rejection

The Andretti group is desperate to show what they can do in F1 if given a proper opportunity.

Mario Andretti claims Andretti F1 bid to have ‘key meeting’ with FOM to overturn 2026 rejection

Mario Andretti (Via: Imago)

Even after their original proposal was rejected by F1, Andretti has been constantly working to improve their facilities and get back in contention for a potential 2026 entry. Following this, the team has built a massive facility in Silverstone to fasten their car development process.

Recently, Mario Andretti has spoken about his son’s plan for the future of the Andretti group. According to the American, the outfit will have a key meeting very soon with FOM to discuss their entry into the 2026 F1 season with the new regulations.

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Andretti has been working on getting into F1 since 2021.

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The FIA has put us through the ringer, if you will, for us to be able to check all the boxes and we have one more blessing that we need from the FOM but we’re having a key meeting coming up and hopefully we have some positive results from that.

Mario Andretti via Sports Illustrated

The 84-year-old also added how they’ve had multiple meetings with the FIA that have led to no avail. The Andretti name is one of the biggest names in Motorsports, only time will tell if they can get on the F1 grid in 2026.

Mario Andretti shares an insight into car development ahead of 2026

The Silverstone facility that was recently created showcases that the Andretti team is pretty confident they will get the go ahead from the FOM. Following this, during the same interview, Mario was asked how the car development is going ahead of 2026.

Mario Andretti
Mario Andretti (Via: Imago)

We have never stopped working from the very beginning. We already have a car and wind tunnel and so forth. Right now the objective is to be on a grid in 2026. There’s so many key elements here to be defined once we have a total, ‘Okay’. Because even personnel, very experienced individuals that want to join us and we have to have a positive ‘yes’ that we’re going to go before we obviously extend a contract.

Mario Andretti during the same interview

Mario ensured that since 2021, the time from when they have been talking to the FIA and FOM about a possible entry to F1, they’ve been working to build the car. He concluded by speaking about how once they get a proper ‘yes’ from FOM, they will fasten the process even more and extend the contract of the high-level personnel to have the best car possible for the 2026 season of the Pinnacle of motor racing.

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