The 2023 off-season is keeping us on our toes and Andretti Global’s entry into F1 has been a huge contributor of news. Their relentless efforts to become a part of the premier class have kept Americans hooked. However, after consistently being shooed away from the idea of fielding an additional team, the American racing conglomerate has found some much-needed support.
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Andretti made strides in their F1 entry when they joined hands with General Motors for their Cadillac badged Formula 1 entry bid. This partnership was seen as a positive step and gave the Americans financial credibility to break the Formula 1 entry barrier. In fact, the fans have already started to picture the American team on the grid whilst pitching the driver they would want to see race for their team.
However, as usual, the progress made by Andretti witnessed some backlash. The backlash that Andretti Global has been facing every time they made a step in the right direction. However, the FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem tweeted in support of the hopeful Americans.
Reuters
Formula One – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – November 19, 2022 FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem REUTERS/Aleksandra Szmigiel
“It is surprising that there has been some adverse reaction to the Cadillac and Andretti news. The FIA has accepted the entries of smaller, successful organisations in recent years. We should be encouraging prospective F1 entries from global manufacturers like GM and thoroughbred races like Andretti and others. Interest from teams in grown markets adds diversity and broadens F1’s appeal,” read the Tweet.
The fans reacted to Ben Sulayem’s tweet by showing their support for the Andretti brand while blaming greed.
Fans react to FIA president’s tweet blaming F1 teams for greed for blocking new entrants
The ‘adverse reaction’ is put subtly by the FIA president but the fans are making educated assumptions about where these reactions are coming from.
You can say his name, he’s called Toto Wolff.
All teams will be against it as it means they will earn less. FIA and F1 should address those concerns with the existing teams then? With the amount of revenue that F1 makes, it’s only fair to the teams to revise the payment terms. And yes, Toto would be the one leading this.
The fans pointed out Toto Wolff as one of the flag bearers for the negative reaction to the entry bid.
More teams means less money for the teams. It's not surprising that the teams are against new competitors if it means they get a smaller cut🤷🏾♀️
I’m not against Andretti and GM joining but I do feel that there’s enough cars on the grid. Watch qualifying and you can already see how gridlocked it gets. Would’ve been good if Andretti could’ve bought out one of the existing teams or something.
F1 teams don't want growth because they afraid of loosing money
Some fans also pointed out the team’s unwillingness of sharing the market share and “losing money” because of new entrants. On the other hand, one fan pointed out an American team will only increase the overall interest income generated by the sport.
W, let Andretti Cadillac join
More teams. Better races. Full stop.
Think we all know who this is aimed at
Let's hope the FIA somehow makes sure the teams don't block it. Andretti meets all the requirements - he has a big partner, he is ready to pay 200 million for entry. Blocking such initiatives is wrong.
The fans are blaming the F1 team bosses for the negative reactions to the Andretti-Cadillac news. However, only time will reveal if the team bosses can actually block a new team’s entry.
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