Fred Vasseur warns F1 over Andretti-Cadillac, claims ‘we need to learn from the past’

Fred Vasseur has made it clear that he is against the entry of Andretti-Cadillac as an eleventh F1 team.

Fred Vasseur warns F1 over Andretti-Cadillac, claims ‘we need to learn from the past’

Fred Vasseur [L] Michael Andretti [R] (images via IMAGO)

Andretti-Cadillac‘s bid to join F1 has faced backlash from almost the entire grid. Existing F1 teams claim that an eleventh entrant would dilute the revenue earned by the existing teams. This has proved to be a major hurdle for Michael Andretti‘s bid. Now, Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur has expressed his concerns about the same.

Vasseur made it clear that a new team like Andretti-Cadillac could expose the grid to financial instability if the sport’s revenue fails to increase. The Frenchman pointed out that F1 is in a positive situation currently. However, it is unclear if this situation will continue in the coming years. 

At the end of the day, if we are 11 teams, we are more exposed than if we are 10.
Fred Vasseur said as reported by RacingNews365

Moreover, the Ferrari team boss cited the increases in the budget cap including a change in the inflation index and an increase in the Capital Expenditure limit. The 55-year-old was worried that costs might continue to grow. This could make it extremely difficult if the prize fund is reduced by the entry of Andretti-Cadillac.

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 On the one hand, we are increasing costs at each meeting. We introduce inflation – at the limit –, we change the inflation index ... and we increase CapEx. And now we want to dilute income more.

Additionally, Fred Vasseur claimed that F1 needed to learn from its past in such a situation. Previously, Formula 1 has seen teams come and go in short stints such as Manor Racing, Caterham, and HRT. Such scenarios risk putting the entire sport in jeopardy.

It is also not easy to run a business and make forecasts when you have this type of change so often and we are honestly not learning from the past and this is a big problem.

Will Andretti-Cadillac join the pinnacle of motorsport?

Michael Andretti’s F1 ambitions have failed to convince the existing F1 teams. So much so, that even General Motors’ announcement of building Power units for the team by 2028 has not changed the status quo. Although, it had been reported that the sport wanted to bring in the American carmaker without its partnership with Andretti.

A representative image for Andretti-Cadillac (Via Sky Sports F1)
A representative image for Andretti-Cadillac (Via Sky Sports F1)

Nevertheless, both Michael Andretti and General Motors have reaffirmed their plans for Andretti-Cadillac. Despite facing staunch criticism by almost the entire grid, the American team is hopeful of making it to the pinnacle of motorsport. The Andretti bid is currently in negotiations with Formula One Management for a commercial agreement.

Andretti-Cadillac seems to have all the aspects F1 needed from a new team. However, the issue remains that the sport simply doesn’t want to have an eleventh team. As the present 10 teams aim to earn from the sport’s massive growth in recent years. Although it remains to be seen if the sport gives the nod to the all-American bid.

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