FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has shifted his position regarding the admission of Andretti Cadillac into Formula 1, now suggesting that Andretti explore the option of purchasing another team.
Andretti Cadillac’s ambitions to join Formula 1 have hit another roadblock as F1 declined their 2026 entry, despite the FIA initially admitting their application on technical grounds.
The FIA’s President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who had been a vocal advocate for expanding F1’s grid to 12 teams, now advises Andretti to consider purchasing an existing team rather than persisting in their efforts to join as the 11th team.
Ben Sulayem, in an interview with Reuters in Monaco, expressed a change in stance, suggesting that F1’s commercial rights holder, Liberty Media, prefers new teams to be original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). He advised Andretti, “I would advise [Andretti] to go and buy another team, not to come as the 11th team.”
While Ben Sulayem maintains his openness to Andretti and General Motors joining the sport, he emphasizes the importance of quality over quantity, highlighting the potential impact of having a strong US-based team in Formula 1.
The shift in Ben Sulayem’s stance could be seen as an attempt to align with FOM and Liberty Media, with whom he has had a strained relationship. This move comes amidst negotiations for a new Concorde Agreement, aimed at clarifying how the series will be commercially managed, due for renewal before 2026.
Although F1 has left the door open for Andretti to reapply for 2028 if GM is prepared to provide a works power unit, Andretti remains determined to secure a spot for the 2026 season. They have established a UK base in Silverstone and enlisted former F1 technical director Pat Symonds as a consultant. Additionally, they have involved US lawmakers to challenge F1’s rejection, raising legal concerns through anti-trust laws.
As Andretti continues its aggressive push to enter the pinnacle of motorsport, tensions rise between the aspiring team and F1’s governing bodies, setting the stage for a potential showdown in the quest for a coveted spot on the F1 grid.
