SUMMARY
- Andretti Global has been eyeing an entry into Formula 1 for years now.
- F1 fans express their unhappiness with the FOM's decision on Andretti.
Andretti Global, the billion-dollar motorsport outfit that recently partnered with Cadillac, has been revving up for what could have been a revolutionary entry into the Formula 1 community. In fact, it wasn’t long ago that Andretti offered the world a sneak peek into the team’s wind tunnel progress; the American outfit revealed its first fully built F1 car amid a potential 2026 entry.
However, Andretti’s towering dreams have plummeted to the ground, with the Formula One Group rejecting their bid. The shocking decision came to light on Wednesday, and fans are visibly frustrated with Liberty Media’s reluctance to expand the grid. Take a look at some of the reactions from the motorsport fandom. One fan opined that the sport is steadily falling apart, which may have been triggered by Liberty Media’s recent actions.
“Our sport is dying man,” the fan wrote on X. Another fan suggested that Liberty Media is beginning to lose touch with the fandom. “F1 has lost touch with its fans honestly,” they wrote. Here are some more reactions from the infuriated fans.
Why do they hate the idea so much💀
— FwdSlashF1 (@FwdSlashF1) January 31, 2024
FOM try not to be greedy for once challenge (impossible)
— ᴊᴜʟɪᴀɴ²⁷ (@RBR_Julian) January 31, 2024
Probably too busy approving ten more street circuits
— Brian (@ORLtragic) January 31, 2024
But, is it all over for Andretti? Certainly not! Despite refusing to accept the multi-million-dollar proposal, Liberty Media has offered a glimmer of hope for the American outfit.
F1 keeps doors open for 2028 despite shocking Andretti rejection
It’s not all over for Andretti as F1 is open to letting an eleventh team into the fray in 2018 when General Motors makes its debut as an engine supplier. As reported by BBC, major stakeholders of the Formula One Group decided against letting Andretti join the grid despite the green light from the FIA.
F1 opined it would “look differently on an application for the entry of a team into the 2028 championship with a GM power unit, either as a GM works team or as a GM customer team designing all allowable components in-house.
“In this case, there would be additional factors to consider in respect of the value that the applicant would bring to the championship, in particular in respect of bringing a prestigious new OEM [car manufacturer] to the sport as a PU [engine] supplier. The need for any new team to take a compulsory power-unit supply, potentially over a period of several seasons, would be damaging to the prestige and standing of the championship.”
Overall, the doors are firmly shut for any automotive brand dreaming of a glorious Formula 1 entry. As for Andretti, the wait continues, and by the looks of it, Michael Andretti might have to remain patient for an additional couple of years.