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Formula One F1 – Pre-Season Testing – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain – February 23, 2022 Alpine’s Fernando Alonso during testing REUTERS/Albert Gea
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Formula One F1 – Pre-Season Testing – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain – February 23, 2022 Alpine’s Fernando Alonso during testing REUTERS/Albert Gea
Andretti Autosport, one of the most prominent American racing outfits, have had their focus on Formula One for quite some time now. Talks happened with Haas, Alfa Romeo, and Williams over a potential buy-in, but in vain. None of the parties showed any kind of interest in giving up their F1 teams and hence, Michael Andretti, quite recently, took a huge step in seeking a place on the grid.
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Former racing legend, Mario Andretti, affirmed that his son, who runs the racing outfit, had been in touch with the FIA and F1 over joining the sport as the 11th team rather than buying into one of the existing teams. Well, days later, Andretti Sr has another big news for the fans!
Andretti take another big step in F1 pursuit
The talks have advanced well beyond the FIA and into completing a deal with an engine supplier. Mercedes would obviously have been the best choice for Andretti. But, the fact that the German manufacturers are already supplying to three different teams including their own, an Andretti-Mercedes partnership seemed implausible.
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Formula One F1 – Formula One F1 – Pre-Season Testing – Barcelona, Spain – February 23, 2022 Mercedes’ George Russell during testing REUTERS/Albert Gea
The same goes with Ferrari too, which currently owns deals with Haas, Alfa Romeo, and Scuderia Ferrari. Red Bull? Or should we say, Honda? Well, the Milton Keynes outfit is just starting to get comfortable around being their own engine suppliers for the first time.
So, another dead-end! What Andretti Autosport is left with are the French manufactures, Renault. As of now, Renault is only supplying their power unit to Alpine Racing which means Andretti are free to use their engines in 2024.
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Mario Andretti acknowledges engine talks
As reported by The Drive, Mario revealed that Renault will be Andretti’s power unit supplier assuming they manage to secure the F1 entry by 2024.
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Formula One F1 – Sakhir Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – Mercedes’ George Russell leads and Valtteri Bottas is second-placed after the start of the race Pool via REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
“We have a formal agreement, now, and [an] engine supplier. It’s going to be Renault, I’m allowed to say it now,” he told Motorsport reporter. “There’s a lot of steps to take here… it’s a huge undertaking. But we’re ready for it. We have incredible partners. Let’s face it: I’ve been at it for 67 years now. We live and breathe motor racing.”
Overall, positive words from Mario as his son pushes further close to completing the talks with FIA successfully. So, as expected, can Andretti Autosport join the grid by 2024?
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