F1’s attempt to break Andretti-Cadillac highlights the sport’s greed

F1 is trying to pursuade GM to ditch Andretti in an effort to prevent the entry of an 11th team on the grid.

F1’s attempt to break Andretti-Cadillac highlights the sport’s greed

Michael Andretti (image via IMAGO)

Formula 1 is currently facing a massive dilemma. The sport needs to decide on the entry of an eleventh team to the grid, Andretti-Cadillac. Michael Andretti‘s dream project has received the nod of the FIA. Now, the proposed American bid only needs the approval of Formula One Management. However, things have been difficult in the past few weeks.

The existing ten teams have opposed the entry of a new rival on the grid since the start of the selection process. Team Principals such as Christian Horner and Toto Wolff argue that a new entrant like Andretti-Cadillac would dilute the prize money and other commercial benefits for the present teams. This comes when the sport has gained massive popularity, especially in the US.

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Despite having the backing of American auto giant General Motors, Andretti has failed to win over the existing teams. Instead, rumors have surfaced that F1 is persuading GM to ditch the Andretti bid. The sport wants the auto giant to partner with one of the 10 F1 teams. However, it is believed that the carmaker will remain committed to Andretti Cadillac.

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Andretti Cadillac’s negative reception shows F1 teams want to protect their interests

Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsport. The best teams and drivers go head-to-head to take the biggest prize in the racing world. However, it seems that greed has taken over the competitive spirit of the teams in the past few years. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff had claimed that F1 can only support 10 teams. Perhaps the Austrian billionaire forgot that his own team had supplied power units to Manor in 2016 when the grid comprised 11 outfits.

Christian Horner and Toto Wolff (image via IMAGO)
Christian Horner and Toto Wolff (image via IMAGO)

However, the main concern for the existing teams is the financial dilution. The grid worries they would be forced to share a chunk of the rather lucrative pie. F1 has set an entry fee of $200 Million for new teams. However, team bosses such as Zak Brown believe that this number needs to be far higher to compensate for the actual monetary effect.

Nevertheless, till this point, the monetary interests were about the existing teams. However, with F1’s attempt to break the Andretti-Cadillac bid, it is clear that FOM itself does not want a new team. It is rare to find a sport trying to separate a team for its interests. But it seems that Formula 1 is ready to take any action necessary for its greed.

New entrants might be discouraged from joining F1 in the future

One would think that when a new team such as Andretti with the backing of GM gets the nod to join the sport, it would be welcomed with open arms. Yet, Michael Andretti seems to be alone in his fight to race at the pinnacle of motorsport. In the long run, this can discourage more teams from entering the sport as F1 could gain the reputation of a closed club that only cares about money.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Michael Andretti on the F1 grid (image via FormulaNews.co.uk)
Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Michael Andretti on the F1 grid (image via FormulaNews.co.uk)

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has admitted that the existing teams are unwilling to share revenue with a new team. Despite Andretti-Cadillac’s promising bid. As such, in the future, why would any other team be interested in joining F1 if nothing can compensate for the greed of the sport’s present teams?

It remains to be seen if Andretti-Cadillac can enter Formula 1. So far, the American bid has passed all hurdles placed in its way by the pinnacle of motorsport. Michael Andretti has remained resilient despite backlash from existing team bosses. Certainly, the former racing driver has continued to fight for a legitimate entry to the grid.

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