Zak Brown and McLaren see ‘no reason’ to not expand F1 grid if new teams ‘help make the pie bigger’

Zak Brown, often cited as Andretti's greatest 'ally' inside F1 in their quest for an entry, has no problem with a new team if they bring value to the sport.

Zak Brown and McLaren see ‘no reason’ to not expand F1 grid if new teams ‘help make the pie bigger’

Zak Brown

The FIA has officially launched an ‘expressions of interest’ process for those interested in entering a team into Formula 1. But it isn’t going to be particularly easy for any party to enter as an 11th team. There are rumors that Formula 1 teams want modifications made to the Concorde Agreement. The current ‘entry fee’ for a new team is $200M to cover the revenue dilution, but some parties are said to be looking to increase that fee to $600M as the sport’s value has skyrocketed.

That fee would be a pretty big stumbling block if it does come into place – it’s set to be discussed in next week’s F1 commission meeting. There are many parties interested in Formula 1 right now. Chief amongst them are Andretti, now with the support of General Motors – who have long faced opposition to a potential entry. They’ve also landed criticism for some of the comments, such as Michael Andretti branding F1 a ‘European Club’ and calling teams ‘greedy’ – Stefano Domenicali certainly did not like the latter comment.

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Apparently, only one team supports them – Renault, who are thought to become their engine supplier, at least initially, before GM can come completely into the fore. But chief amongst their ‘supporters ‘allies’, as Michael Andretti put it, is McLaren CEO Zak Brown, who also happens to be Andretti’s business partner. But even in general, Brown is happy to see the grid welcome more teams.

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Read More: FIA launches application process for prospective Formula 1 entrants

Zak Brown gives McLaren’s ‘general view’ on potential new F1 teams

Zak Brown at a press conference during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (IMAGO / PanoramiC)
Zak Brown at a press conference during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (IMAGO / PanoramiC)

Speaking to Autosport, Zak Brown stated McLaren’s ‘general view’: “Our general view is that so long as a team is additive to the sport, whether it’s an 11th team and/or a 12th team, and can help make the pie bigger, drive greater awareness and we all get more sponsors, we get more media deals, and they pay what’s a fair franchise fee, which all sports have, then I see no reason for them not to join.”

While he acknowledged that it’s up to the FIA and F1 (and its owners) if a team are fit to join F1, McLaren would have no qualms against a team that has been deemed fit. He said: “It’s ultimately up to the FIA and Formula 1 to determine whether they tick all those boxes of criteria. But assuming they do, then very welcome to race against them.”

It’ll be interesting to see what teams make the ‘cut’, if any. Apart from Andretti, other parties interested include Panthera Team Asia and even Hong Kong billionaire Calvin Lo. Panthera had also said that they would be open to collaborating with Lo. There’s space for 2 teams at the maximum, as early as 2025. Another thing to look out for is any potential modification to the Concorde Agreement, regardless of when the changes go into effect.

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