Michael Andretti’s ambitions to create Formula One’s 11th racing team are one step closer to becoming a reality. The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has found that his team satisfies all of the necessary criteria to join the sport. Now F1 must decide if it wants another team.
“We appreciate the FIA’s rigorous, transparent and complete evaluation process and are incredibly excited to be given the opportunity to compete in such a historic and prestigious championship,” Andretti Global said in a statement. “We feel strongly that Andretti Cadillac’s deep racing competencies and the technological advancements that come from racing will benefit our customers while heightening enthusiasm for F1, globally.”
Meanwhile, F1 said simply that it has noted the FIA’s conclusion, and that it will now conduct its own assessment of Andretti Global’s application, per the Associated Press. The racing team plans to partner with Cadillac, which hopes to put its branding on the engines.
Read: Cadillac Wants To Enter F1 With The Help Of Andretti Global
Michael Andretti and his father Mario both have experience racing in Formula One, and are among the most successful open-wheel racers in America. They rank third and fourth in IndyCar’s all-time win list.
Michael Andretti has been trying to get a racing team into F1 for a while now, and in 2021 attempted to buy an existing team, which is how Audi is getting into the sport in 2026. Andretti was one of five organizations that applied the FIA’s team application process, which was launched by its new president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Andretti Global is the only team whose application was a success.
However, that does not guarantee it a place in the championship. The bid must now be examined by Formula One, whose existing teams are not eager to let another join. Many are resistant to another entity entering the sport and lowering the amount of money they earn, especially now that the sport’s popularity and value have risen dramatically.
