F1, along with its owner Liberty Media, has now come to a crossroads with the FIA and Andretti over Andretti’s F1 ambitions. The American giant, which has been willing to pay $200 million in anti-dilution fees as per the Concorde Agreement, has faced huge resistance from the grid. But after an exchange of comments back and forth, things might get going once again, as a key topic of discussion has been tabled for the FIA’s F1 Commission meeting next week. McLaren CEO Zak Brown revealed the news of the addition of new teams to the agenda.

The meeting will discuss the possibility of increasing the anti-dilution fee, which many team bosses, including Red Bull’s Christian Horner and Mercedes’ Toto Wolff, have argued isn’t sufficient. Moreover, Horner also cited logistics as an issue, which appears to back up his opposition to an eleventh team, an idea to which eight teams are opposed. 

Race Fans quoted Zak Brown,saying, “I’ve not really spoken with other teams about it [but] it will be a topic at this upcoming FIA commission meeting. We’ve been sent the agenda and new teams is a topic.”

Hinting at his possible support for an increased fee, he added, “And it’s good value for money, right? I mean, these franchises are worth quite a bit of money. So it’s an investment as opposed to a fee because these franchises, if not already worth billions, certainly will be in the not-too-distant future like other major sports.”

Alpine Leaves Pierre Gasly Awestruck and Overtakes F1 Rivals Already by Getting Down to Business: “It’s a Fantastic Feeling”

The teams argue that the value they have brought to Formula One is much more than just money and that they deserve to be compensated fairly. Moreover, they claim that the sport’s value has increased manifolds in recent years, so its fee should be more in line with other major competitions.

McLaren backs Andretti’s addition as 11th team

McLaren and Alpine are said to be the only teams backing Andretti’s move. But Christian Horner alleges that’s only because of their personal benefit or interest in the deal. However, Zak Brown provides his own different reasoning.

“And so as long as a new team is additive, helps us get better TV deals, brings awareness that drives more sponsorship, and pays an appropriate franchise entry fee that’s in line with what the value of what F1 is today,” Zak said, claiming to want to help the sport grow rather than have it big for himself.

Trending

Liam Lawson’s Surprise Contract Clause Threatens Daniel Ricciardo’s RB Seat

April 24, 2024 11:15 AM EDT

F1 Rumor: Adrian Newey to Join Ferrari, Leaving Red Bull Amid Christian Horner-Helmut Marko Fiasco

April 25, 2024 05:55 PM EDT

What Is Azzurro La Plata and Azzurro Dino? Significance of Ferrari’s Historic Change to a Blue Livery for Miami GP

April 24, 2024 04:52 PM EDT

“[Charles] Leclerc Doesn’t Care About Ferrari”: F1 Insider’s Brutal Blow to Fred Vasseur & Co. Has Racing Community Lashing Out

April 24, 2024 05:00 PM EDT

F1 Rumor: Christian Horner and Wife Geri to Publicly Reveal All Details on Leaked Chat Scandal

April 22, 2024 04:10 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest F1 stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

WATCH THIS STORY: Youngest F1 drivers of all-time

The wheel might officially get going after the meeting if some concrete plan comes up. Until then, we can only expect Formula 1 to not budge against the FIA’s demands.