Andretti hits back at F1 following 11th team bid refusal

Andretti Cadillac has issued a statement after Formula 1 rejected its proposal to join the grid as an 11th manufacturer.

The project, led by former racer Michael Andretti, has been in the works for a number of years as passed the FIA's initial scrutineering process last year.

But following discussions with the sport's commercial rights holder Formula One Management, F1 opted to reject Andretti's bid.

It stated that it was not convinced that the addition of Andretti to the grid would benefit the sport and had doubts over how competitive it could be.

Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 World Champion and father of Michael, took to social media to express his disappointment with the decision.

Now, the Andretti organisation has released its own statement, asserting that the decision has not left it deterred from fielding a team in the coming years.

“Andretti Cadillac has reviewed the information Formula One Management Limited has shared and strongly disagree with its contents,” it said.

“Andretti and Cadillac are two successful global motorsports organizations committed to placing a genuine American works team in F1, competing alongside the world’s best.

“We are proud of the significant progress we have already made on developing a highly competitive car and power unit with an experienced team behind it, and our work continues at pace.

“Andretti Cadillac would also like to acknowledge and thank the fans who have expressed their support.”