Former Minardi owner claims it will be “difficult” for Andretti to survive in F1

Paul Stoddart believes that Michael Andretti's team might find it difficult to race in F1.

Former Minardi owner claims it will be “difficult” for Andretti to survive in F1

Michael Andretti (image via IMAGO)

Andretti-Cadillac is preparing itself to join the F1 grid in 2025 potentially. The all-American team has the backing of auto giant General Motors through the Cadillac brand. However, many remain skeptical about Michael Andretti‘s proposed outfit. Now, former Minardi F1 owner Paul Stoddart has expressed his views on Andretti’s attempt to join the sport.

Stoddart ran the fan-favorite Minardi F1 team a couple of decades ago in tough circumstances. The Former team owner mentioned that he knows why the existing teams are against Michael Andretti’s outfit from entering the sport as it is a massive operation. He told Racingnews365, “I can understand why they [the teams] don’t want it to happen, but Andretti is a first-class operation.”

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The Australian reckoned that the ten teams would make it difficult for Andretti to join F1, considering the profitability of the current grid. As such, the existing grid is reluctant to share a chunk of their lucrative pie with a new entrant in the form of Andretti-Cadillac. Stoddart said, “It’s going to be a hard battle for them to get in. The teams are all profitable now, so they are fighting hard against another coming in – it’s going to be difficult.”

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Paul Stoddart claims Andretti-Cadillac would perform in F1

Andretti Global is a household name in motorsport. The operation participates in various categories, including Indy Car and Formula E. Certainly, adding GM’s resources would further strengthen Andretti’s prospects in Formula 1. Paul Stoddart believed that the proposed team would certainly not be a backmarker. Instead, it would achieve significant results.

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)

However, the former Minardi owner understood that it is not easy to add an 11th team in F1. Stoddart admitted that the sport must first make space for a new entrant on the grid sustainably. Moreover, Andretti-Cadillac’s entry into the pinnacle of motorsport must not jeopardize the finances of the existing ten teams.

Michael Andretti’s bid is getting ever closer to being approved as F1’s eleventh team. However, the former F1 driver has the uphill task of convincing Formula One Management and the existing teams to find a place on the grid. Certainly, Andretti-Cadillac could do wonders for the sport’s popularity in the US. However, it remains to be seen if Andretti does get the nod to enter the sport.

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