Formula One rejects Andretti's bid to enter F1

Formula One has announced that Andretti's bid to enter F1 with General Motors' Cadillac brand has been rejected, but the American team still might aim to join the grid in 2028.

Michael Andretti intended to join the F1 grid in 2025 or 2026, and the sport's governing body, the FIA had already approved the application. However, Formula One's commercial rights holders, the FOM still needed to assess the application.

Formula 1 has now announced that they have rejected the American Andretti team's bid to enter the sport in the next two years. However, the American outfit can still aim to achieve admission from 2028.

FOM argued that their analysis showed that an 11th team "would not on its own add value".

- Our assessment process has established that the presence of an 11th team would not, on its own, provide value to the Championship. The most significant way in which a new entrant would bring value is by being competitive. We do not believe that the Applicant would be a competitive participant.

- 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.

- While the Andretti name carries some recognition for F1 fans, our research indicates that F1 would bring value to the Andretti brand rather than the other way around.

- The addition of an 11th team would place an operational burden on race promoters, would subject some of them to significant costs, and would reduce the technical, operational and commercial spaces of the other competitors.

- We were not able to identify any material expected positive effect on CRH financial results, as a key indicator of the pure commercial value of the Championship.

- On the basis of the application as it stands, we do not believe that the Applicant has shown that it would add value to the Championship. We conclude that the Applicant’s application to participate in the Championship should not be successful.

- We 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 to the sport as a PU supplier.

Commenting on FOM's decision, Michael Andretti commented: “Andretti Cadillac has reviewed the information Formula One Management Limited has shared and strongly disagree with its contents,” Andretti’s statement read.

“Andretti and Cadillac are two successful global motorsports organisations committed to placing a genuine American works team in F1, competing alongside the world’s best.

“We are proud of the significant progress we have already made on developing a highly competitive car and power unit with an experienced team behind it, and our work continues at pace.

“Andretti Cadillac would also like to acknowledge and thank the fans who have expressed their support.”