Formula One: Mario Andretti ‘left devastated’ after US team blocked from joining circuit, officials cite competition fears
- Formula One says it does not believe adding an 11th team to the grid ‘would not on its own add value’
- Officials say potential for team to join in 2028, when Andretti partner General Motors plans to produce its own engine
Formula One has blocked US outfit Andretti’s bid to join the circuit, leaving team boss and former world champion Mario Andretti “devastated”.
While governing body the FIA had supported the proposal, F1 officials expressed concern over the team’s level of competitiveness in the short term, with it having to use engines from an existing manufacturer.
The commercial rights holder did not close the door completely on the group’s bid, but said it did not believe adding an 11th team to the grid “would not on its own add value”.
“Our assessment process has established that the presence of an 11th team would not, in and of itself, provide value to the championship,” Formula One said in a statement.
“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.”
However, the door was left open for admission from 2028, when Andretti partner General Motors – which is backing the team through its luxury Cadillac brand – plans to produce its own engine.