In Formula One, there are only ten teams so far. But several popular brands have shared their interest in developing an 11th team in the paddock. One of them is the Cadillac brand. Michael Andretti is very much into bringing up his own team in Formula one. But, the previous teams like Mercedes are standing against Andretti. Mercedes chief, Toto Wolff fears that the new entries won’t be able to bring the required amount of funds. Meanwhile, the very rival of Mercedes, Red Bull’s chief Christian Horner stood in support of Andretti-Cadillac in order to bring new teams into the sport.
Recently, during the 2022 season, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem announced his aim to expand Formula One. With this possibility, so far only Andretti-Cadillac has been found to show some interest in joining the sport as an individual team. However, registering for Formula One is not just a matter of interest. One has to match the requirements of the sports also. It takes a strong value that Andretti believes is present in his General Motors.
Meanwhile, Christian Horner is also worried that the new entries may lead the previous existing teams to lose a share of the prize money. The All-American entry is indeed great for Horner, they are all capable of meeting the standards of Formula One. The RACER asked the Red Bull boss to keep his views on Andretti’s interest in building up an 11th team in Formula One. He said, “Andretti is a great brand. It is a great team. Whatever, Mario, did in F1 as an American as well is fantastic.”
“Who Is Going To Pay?” Christian Horner Asked About Andretti’s Entry
Horner believes that General Motors and Cadillac together can make two phenomenal brands in Formula One. And, no disputes can be found between them. But there is a concern that makes him worried. He said, “Who is going to pay for it?” Christian Horner explains that even if you can predict that the teams are going to pay for it or dilute their payment to accommodate it. Also then it is not going to fit that well in F1.
According to the Red Bull principal, Christian Horner there are two existing Fomrula One teams that are supporting the new entries. They are McLaren and Alpine, they can either have a partnership with the US team or they can supply engines to them. However, the rest of the eight teams are not interested in welcoming Andretti they are considering it as, “Why should we dilute our element of prize fund?”. [for a new entry when already things are going well with ten teams].
On the other hand, when Andretti got aware of this unwelcome scenario, he got frustrated. Speaking with Forbes, he claimed that Formula One is all about money. “First they [other existing teams] believe that they are diluting one-tenth of their prize money. But this is very greedy of them to think that we will take all the American sponsors as well.”
