Andretti has made their intentions abundantly clear in the last few months about wanting to join the Formula 1 grid. However it was felt between the teams that Andretti should ensure that its entry does not come at a financial cost for the existing teams. This was called out by Mercedes Team Principal, Toto Wolff, early last year: "When a team comes in, how can you make sure you're bringing in more money than it's going to cost?" Red Bull boss Christian Horner echoed these thoughts: "The money will be an important factor in the end. It would be unfair to make other teams pay indirectly for the extra newcomers. That's always a conflict you're going to have." But prior to their latest development, which sees them taking part in the FIA's expression of interest with car giant Cadillac, Michael Andretti thought that the "snobbish" attitudes from F1 teams could be a barrier to entry. Andretti spoke to GQ earlier in the year about the experience racing in 1997, and how the attitudes to US efforts have not changed: “It was a definite European club,” he said. “And I’m getting the feeling it’s still the European club, the way we’re being treated. Because we would be a threat. The first real international team. “It’s a very snobbish approach they’re taking. Ultimately, we’re going to bring more value than we’re going to take away.”
Andretti: No more discussion possible
Fast forward to the beginning of 2023 and Andretti announces that it is pairing with General Motors, the largest car manufacturer in the United States. According to Andretti, the other 'established' teams should no longer question Andretti's ability to bring value to F1. "We [Andretti and GM] have been talking to each other for about four or five months now," Michael Andretti told media, including RacingNews365.com . "One of the big things was 'Well, what is Andretti bringing to the party?' "Well we're bringing one of the biggest manufacturers in the world with us, with General Motors and Cadillac. We feel that was the one box that we didn't have checked, and I think we'll be bringing a tremendous amount of support for F1. "I believe 1000% [that we can be on the grid], I believe that we've checked every box that needs to be checked to be able to enter F1, and we feel like we're ahead of our competition to get there."
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