Mario Andretti not giving up on Formula 1 despite ‘disappointing’ resistance

Mario Andretti has described his son’s inability to secure an F1 spot as “disappointing” but said the family was determined to continue their interest.

Having failed in their bid to buy Sauber last year, the Andretti family have been pushing for the own spot on the grid from 2024 onwards but have met more resistance than they would have been anticipating.

Mario Andretti confirmed in February that his son, Michael, had submitted an application to the FIA for an introduction of a new team called Andretti Global.

This caused a rift among the current 10 teams with Mercedes team principal and CEO Toto Wolff being one of the most outspoken when it came to his opposition.

The Austrian stated that a new team would have to show its value to the existing teams,something Mario took offence to.

Six months have passed since the application was first submitted but, despite the lukewarm reception, Mario Andretti remained optimistic about its outcome.

“It’s been quite a while. I’ve been hearing him talking about this in the last five years at least,”he told Motorlat.com.

“It’s part of his ambition as a car owner. Motor racing is his business. He lives and breathes this sport like we always did.

“现在在他的能力作为一个老板,他只是想take advantage of the opportunity to stay at the top level.”

Formula 1 already has a US-based team in the form of Haas but Michael Andretti accused the sport of being a “European club” something thatHaas boss Guenther Steiner took umbrage with. Mario seems to have continued this growing feud by labelling owner Gene Haas “not a 100% racer”.

Michael has applied to the FIA to field a new F1 team starting in 2024. His entry, Andretti Global, has the resources and checks every box. He is awaiting the FIA's determination.

— Mario Andretti (@MarioAndretti)February 18, 2022

“Why not Formula 1? Gene Haas did it. He’s not a 100% racer – we’re 100% racers.

“He [Michael Andretti] has fabulous backing, people that are serious and capable. Everything is for the long-term.

“很明显我们experiencing some resistance – and it’s very disappointing at the moment.

“Are we giving up? No. I think we deserve to be there.”

The Andretti group has said the deadlineis fast approaching if they are to join the sport for 2024, with marketing director of Andretti Autosport, Jean-Francois Thormann, saying the team wants to get in as early as possible.

“We are not waiting for the final version of the rules from 2026, we want to get in earlier,” he toldSpeedweek.

“But it’s getting close for the plan from 2024. The deadline is already very close.”