Lewis Hamilton cheers for Andretti’s F1 entry despite the backlash, says there aren’t ‘enough cars on the grid’ 

Lewis Hamilton highlights the upsides of having an 11th F1 team in the garage.

Lewis Hamilton cheers for Andretti’s F1 entry despite the backlash, says there aren’t ‘enough cars on the grid’ 

Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz (Via IMAGO)

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) approved Andretti Cadillac’s bid to join the grid as the 11th team recently.  However, accepting this offer has drawn much criticism, such as it would unnecessarily boost competitiveness, stir up more chaos, and increase traffic on the track.

When Andretti first attempted to get approval for his new team last year, one of the questions thrown around the paddock was: what benefit would the team bring? While the Andretti name is big in the United States, a market of key interest to F1, Some view it as no more significant than what Alfa Romeo has done at Sauber in recent years.

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The majority of the racers on the grid, as well as a few team bosses, are against this choice.  F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali strongly disagrees with the addition of an extra team. Many deem this move an unnecessary addition and say it has the potential to destabilize the sport.

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Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, however, supports the decision of FIA to accept Andretti into the sport. As reported by racefans.net, he says, “I’ve always felt that there weren’t enough cars on the grid, So, whilst there will definitely be people that won’t be happy for me to be so supportive of it, I think it’s great.”

The addition of a new team would also create more job opportunities and allow females to enter the sport as well; Hamilton says, “It’s an opportunity for more jobs, another two seats available for a potential female driver to come through.”

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What do other racers on the track feel about this decision

Hamilton’s teammate Geroge Russell was one of the drivers who was less enthusiastic about this decision. He said, “So I’m not for, I’m not against this decision”

Fernando Alonso, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton (Via IMAGO)
Fernando Alonso, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton (Via IMAGO)

The current dominating world champion, Max Verstappen, claims, “They have shown that they are a professional team. So, it would be nice.”

Even Fernando Alonso, the Spaniard who competed for Andretti in the 2017 Indianapolis 500, maintains a neutral attitude and declares his support for Aston Martin in any leadership role.

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