Home

F1

Fernando Alonso in Hot Demand as American Icon Gears Up to Fight Against $2.9B Worth Lawrence Stroll for His Signature

Published 12/28/2022, 1:45 PM EST

Follow Us

via Reuters

The popularity of Formula 1 is growing, and as a result, more and more individuals want to connect in some manner with the top division of motorsport. After the 2022 season was completed successfully, Formula 1 is currently enjoying the off-season with a slew of hot new F1 news, one of which is Mario Andretti’s desire to field the 11th team. Although he had previously expressed his ambitions as well, the surprise is that he plans to directly challenge billionaire Lawrence Stroll by expressing his desire to bring in double champion Fernando Alonso to his side by getting the signature of the Spaniard.

Andretti has been urging Formula 1 to add another team to the grid. However, he has encountered resistance from a number of the current teams who are hesitant to allow an additional constructor to compete in the sport. In the past, he has also spoken about purchasing AlphaTauri, Sauber, and Haas in order to add another American team to the grid and secure a future race for Andretti Global.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The question of who the legendary Andretti would like to add to the team’s lineup arose as a result of the resurfacing of the family ‘team’ story. He picked Fernando Alonso, who already has a multiyear contract with Aston Martin giving a straightforward challenge to the billionaire Lawrence Stroll.

Conversing with SoyMotor.com on a Twitch stream, Andretti told why he’d pick Alonso, ” It’s very possible, of course. His experience is immeasurable and it would be a tremendous thing for us, so we’re going to look at it. I think he wants to keep racing and he’s still in his prime.”

If Andretti gets a chance to enter F1, he could make a move to lure Fernando Alonso into his team. Meanwhile, the two-time champion Fernando Alonso is pleased with the news of Andretti’s entry and declares it to be the “best news.”

Mario Andretti’s team entry in Formula One gets the green light from Fernando Alonso

The Spaniard is acquainted with Michael Andretti, whose crew prepared Alonso’s McLaren-Honda-Dallara for his debut attempt at the Indianapolis 500 in 2017. Andretti, who is keen to join the motorsports industry in 2024, has not yet received approval from the regulatory body. In addition, certain rivals and sports promoters like Liberty Media are still undecided about the need for an additional team.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

However, it seems that Fernando Alonso, whose former team’s outright employers are likely to be Andretti’s engine supplier if the team gets off the ground. He is quite supportive of motorsports ‘legends’ entering Formula 1. The Spaniard said, “Well, sure, it could be a big thing. So if we can have them in Formula 1 that will be the best news, I think for both. Formula 1 would benefit from that and obviously, Michael and his team will benefit from the sport and from being in Formula 1.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Trending

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

Follow Us

WATCH THIS STORY: Big Trouble for Stewart-Haas Racing, But Delight for Michael Andretti With Russian F1 Development

Maybe only time will tell what the FIA’s verdict will be. That being said, do you believe the regulatory body will permit the entry of the 11th team given that F1’s popularity is expanding and the sport is exploring new opportunities?

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Aditya Srivastava

738Articles

One take at a time

Aditya Srivastava is an F1 Author at EssentiallySports. Although he has completed his undergrad in History, due to his passion for the field, he couldn't hold himself back from entering the world of Sports Journalism. Being a huge fan of Formula 1, Aditya has taken up multiple internships and freelancing gigs where he got to pen down his thoughts about the most prestigious form of motor racing in the world.
Show More>

Edited by:

Varunkumaar Chelladurai