“It’s like turkeys voting for Christmas,” Christian Horner bashes the idea of an 11 team joining Formula 1

Christian Horner has been one of the multiple team principals on the F1 grade who have been against the idea of an 11th team. While the decision is not in their hands, a lot of concerns have been raised regarding the same. If a new F1 team possibly joins the paddock, it will cause a major disturbance when it comes to operational factors and logistics for the season.

In the recent years, Formula 1 has been growing at a substantial rate when it comes to popularity. That is partly thanks to Netflix’s Drive to survive series. With the championship growing every year, the payouts going to the teams have also increased. There have been talks with multiple candidates including Andretti who want to partner up with Cadillac to enter the sport.

Meanwhile, the deadline for the applications for new entrants has been extended to 15th May. The process for the same had started in February. Teams would have an option to join the F1 grid in 2025, 2026 or 2027. Christian Horner has raised financial concerns for the same as he pushes for the 200 million entry fee to be increased substantially.

Related: Aston Martin urges F1 to ‘keep its DNA’ amidst radical Baku race weekend changes

Christian Horner shares his displeasure over the possibility of an 11th team in F1

In an interview, here is what Christian Horner had to say. “I think the issues remain the same as 12 months ago: fiscally what is the incentive for an existing team or franchise to accept an 11th entrant?” Horner said. “Ultimately who pays if it dilutes the income of the 10? It’s like turkeys voting for Christmas, why would they do that?,” he continued.

“Are Liberty [Media, F1’s owner] prepared to pay and fund an 11th team, are the FIA prepared to reduce their fees to help accommodate it?,” he stated. “So there’s all the financial aspects. But beyond that with the way the sport has developed if you look at the pitlane for example here or somewhere like Monaco or Zandvoort or some of the circuits we’re now racing at, where would we be able to accommodate an 11th team?,” he continued.

For now, Christian Horner’s focus lies on Miami as they aim to make it two for two for race victories in Florida. Max Verstappen beat title rival Charles Leclerc to win the inaugural 2022 Miami GP. This year, he will be facing competition from teammate Sergio Perez and the Mercedes drivers. Who do you think will get pole position for the 2023 Miami GP?

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