Zak Brown refutes US Congress’ claims of F1 being ‘anti-American’ after Andretti-Cadillac rejection

Zak Brown sided with F1 over the claims of the sport being 'anti-American' after rejecting Andretti-Cadillac's bid.

Zak Brown refutes US Congress’ claims of F1 being ‘anti-American’ after Andretti-Cadillac rejection

Zak Brown and Michael Andretti (via IMAGO)

Andretti-Cadillac has faced mixed reactions from the F1 grid over its rejected bid. The All-American constructor refuses to give up on their dream of joining the grid. Multiple people have suggested the constructor purchase an existing team on the grid. However, Michael Andretti‘s squad remains adamant about joining the grid as an independent constructor. Hence, McLaren CEO Zak Brown commented on some of the recent developments regarding Andretti’s case.

Previously, Formula 1 was approached by the US Congress which lodged multiple questions to the sport. The Congress labeled the sport as ‘anti-American’ over their reasons for rejecting Andretti’s bid. However, Zak Brown, who previously suggested the team purchase an existing team, feels otherwise. The McLaren CEO mentioned that there wasn’t an ‘anti-American’ culture at the pinnacle of motorsport. Brown also added that the sport was very global, especially due to Ford, Honda, and other’s involvement.

I don’t think there’s an anti-American culture within Formula 1 at all, When you look at the sport, you’ve got European manufacturers, Ford from North America, and Honda from Japan. The sport is extremely global.
Zak Brown said, as reported by ESPN.com.
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Additionally, the Briton claimed that he had never come across any such problems in his career. There was no sort of ‘favoritism or negativity’ towards a particular region. Hence, the Congress’ claims of the sport’s national favoritism were completely false according to the 52-year-old. The American involvement in F1 is at an all-time high, especially with three different races in the subcontinent.

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I’ve never come across any favoritism or negativity towards any region of the world. The whole world participates in Formula 1.
Zak Brown noted.

Zak Brown claims the whole ‘anti-American’ claim is ‘unfortunate’

Andretti Cadillac isn’t the only American entity in Formula 1. The Haas F1 Team is American, and so is the commercial rights holder of F1, Liberty Media. The American firm continues to lead Formula 1 to monumental heights in terms of popularity. Zak Brown pointed out that Liberty Media was also American and hence there wasn’t a good base for such claims.

Liberty Media, the commercial rights holder of F1, is American.
Zak Brown added.
Zak Brown (via IMAGO)
Zak Brown (via IMAGO)

The Briton was sympathetic towards Andretti’s rejection from joining the Formula 1 grid as the 11th team. Especially after such promising prospects, it was definitely a sad ordeal. However, this didn’t mean that the sport was accused of being ‘anti-American’. Brown reckoned that this claim was ‘unfortunate’ and the issue was between Andretti and Formula 1 and not the whole of America.

I’m sympathetic to the frustration, but the claim that ‘Formula 1 isn’t welcoming America’ is unfortunate, The root issue is between Andretti and Formula 1 about adding value.
Zak Brown concluded.

Andretti continues to battle out with the sport to hopefully make them reconsider the bid. The team has already built their facility in Silverstone in case they join the F1 grid. Additionally, Andretti also reached a similar employee count to the Haas F1 team. Hence, Formula 1 might re-visit the declined bid if the team continues to receive such support.

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