The American team Andretti Autosport wants to join the F1 grid in 2024, but this project has received a somewhat cold reception from the rest of the field, who are worried about financial bonuses diluted by the arrival of an eleventh structure. Alone McLaren et Alpine seem to support the plans of Michael Andretti, whose attempt to buy out the Sauber team (currently named Alfa Romeo) failed last year.
Andretti has met FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem in Miami to discuss his plan, and revealed he will indeed be building an F1 factory in Indianapolis starting this summer. However, F1 CEO and President Stefano Domenicali questioned the need for an eleventh team on the grid, given the good health of the ten already there as the championship currently thrives.
Speaking at the Business of F1 forum organized by the Financial Times and Motorsport Network in Monaco, Domenicali said it was “the first time of [sa] vie” that all the Formula 1 teams were in good financial health. “They’re very solid, that’s something that’s a big reward for them. They’ve invested in us, and that’s why we really believe that the team community should be respected.”
“Today the problem is not to have more teams, because we have a list. Some are more vocal than others, but we have a lot of people or investors who would like to be in Formula 1. But we have to protect the stables. This is really another sign of a very healthy system.”
Stefano Domenicali (F1), Greg Maffei (Liberty Media) and James Allen (Motorsport Network)
When asked if he thinks F1 currently has the right number of teams, Domenicali replied: “I mean it. And if somebody wants to come, it has to be really meaningful.”
Any team wishing to join the F1 grid must pay $200m which will be shared by the ten other teams, under the terms of the latest Concorde Accords, but as the development of the championship continues and the value of the teams increases, concerns remain. whether this sum is sufficient to compensate for the dilution of the premiums.
When Domenicali evokes an interest “really meaningful”, it refers to the major manufacturers. Audi and Porsche seem set to enter F1 with the new engine regulations in 2026, but would do so via partnerships with existing teams – for example Porsche with Red Bull – or by acquiring a team already present.
Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei was evasive about a possible arrival from Porsche and Audi, but said: “We heard from the Chairman and CEO of the Volkswagen Group [Herbert Diess, ndlr] make statements that suggest they are interested. We will only trust his word.”
