Andretti has had its bid to join the Formula One grid in 2026 or 2027 rejected by Formula One Management (FOM). The sport’s commercial arm does not believe the American team would be fit to compete over the next two years, with the current stakeholders arguing that the addition of an 11th team would dilute their earnings.
The FIA, F1’s governing body, gave Andretti the green-light to join the grid over the coming years several months ago. However, Andretti also had to convince FOM that their proposal was in the best interest of the sport.
In a lengthy statement, F1’s current stakeholders said: “Our assessment process has established that the presence of an 11th team would not, on its own, provide value to the Championship.
“The most significant way in which a new entrant would bring value is by being competitive. We do not believe that the applicant would be a competitive participant.
“The need for any new team to take a compulsory power unit supply, potentially over a period of several seasons, would be damaging to the prestige and standing of the Championship.”
That stance could change in 2028 when partner General Motors produces its own engine. GM – which is backing Andretti through its luxury Cadillac brand – has said it plans to build its own F1 engine in time for the 2028 season.
The statement added: “The door to entry has, however, been left open for 2028 by F1 on the proviso that General Motors, the American car giant whose Cadillac brand had been backing Andretti’s entry, joined the bid as a full works team or customer team.”
On the different circumstances, F1 said it “Would look differently on an application for the entry”.
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