Zak Brown feels Michael Andretti has ‘put together a compelling team’ for potential F1 entry

Zak Brown feels Michael Andretti has ‘put together a compelling team’ for potential F1 entry

Michael Andretti (L) | Zak Brown (R)

Andretti’s prospective Formula 1 entry doesn’t seem to have been very well-received by the F1 teams. It’s not the first time that they’ve had to deal with such opposition, of course, as they have tried to acquire both Sauber and Haas. Neither pursuit proved fruitful. The latest one, to enter as an 11th team, doesn’t seem to be much popular either, despite them now having secured the backing of General Motors (Cadillac).

A report from The Race said that the vast majority of Formula 1 teams are opposed to Andretti’s entry onto the grid, with the only exception being Renault. Other concerns cited by a ‘senior team figure’ to Reuters was the Cadillac involvement being a ‘badging exercise’, and the $200M entry fee being considered not enough to justify the revenue dilution. Rather curiously, McLaren are not mentioned to be one of the teams backing Andretti, despite Zak Brown being a very vocal supporter of their entry.

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Brown and Michael Andretti (CEO, Andretti Autosport) have been business partners for a few years now. Andretti even called him a ‘very good ally’. Recently, Brown showed another example of this support. Speaking to Motorsport.com, he said: “The Andretti name has such a rich history in multiple forms of motorsport. We’re partners in a Supercars team with Walkinshaw, and they also have great history in motorsport.”

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The McLaren CEO said: “GM is also an OEM who we race with in IndyCar [Chevrolet powers the Arrow McLaren team] and I think [Michael Andretti] he’s put forward a very compelling proposition. I think it shows the growth of Formula 1. We haven’t had a new team in a long time, since Haas. And so it’s just great to see Formula 1 attracting new markets, new teams, new sponsors. I think it’s great to see they want to join the sport. I think he’s put together a compelling team.”

Read More: ‘It’s all about greed,’ Michael Andretti fires back at detractors of F1 bid

Zak Brown: The multiple entrants interested in F1 reflect the health of the sport

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)

Andretti are not the only organization/manufacturer looking to enter Formula 1. There’s Porsche, who tried to partner with Red Bull but the deal collapsed. Then there’s ‘Panthera Team Asia‘ (who already have a LinkedIn), and Hong Kong billionaire Calvin Lo is also interested. Benjamin Durand, co-founder of ‘Panthera’ even suggested that they are ‘open’ to partnering with Calvin Lo, as quoted by PlanetF1.

While he isn’t exactly familiar with the process of a new F1 team coming into the fray, Zak Brown is excited by the prospect – as he feels it reflects the sport’s ‘health’: “I’m just excited that there’s this excitement of new teams that want to join F1; I think that talks to the health of the sport. We’ve seen in all forms of motor racing manufacturers come and go, and what’s great is that the manufacturers coming in talks to the demand and the health of motorsport in general in the moment we’re in, which is great. Long may it continue.”

Formula 1 is indeed in a very healthy position right now – with the cost cap, aerodynamic restrictions, and the new regulations, the sport is working towards sustainability and closer competition. The 2026 regulations are especially enticing, as they will feature 100% sustainable fuels, and more electrical components than ever before.

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