Andretti asserts F1 ‘can’t say no’ to entry amid continued investment

Michael Andretti has repeated confidence that he will be granted approval to field his own Formula 1 team in the coming years.

Andretti’s initial application for 2025 was denied by F1 following lengthy discussions despite receiving the green light from the FIA.

Even with the setback, Andretti has been pushing forward with its plans to join the grid and announced the opening a new Silverstone facility earlier this week.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Andretti addressed concerns vocalised by F1 and current teams over the lack of value his prospective squad brings to the grid.

“We feel that we're not going to be diluting the pot, we feel like we're going to be helping raise the pot, and when the pot gets bigger, then everybody is going to share more in it,” he said.

"It's been a little frustrating, but we'll get our point across.

“We are still working along with FOM and we will show that we are bringing a lot to the party.”

General Motors impact

F1 has left the door open for Andretti to join in 2028 amid its partnership with General Motors (GM) and its Cadillac division.

Andretti confirmed that GM is also investing heavily in constructing an F1 power unit, leaving him confident that his bid will be accepted going forward.

”General Motors is huge coming to the party,” he said.

“They are not just coming to be here, they are coming here to be a big part of our team, and I think it's not been understood yet how big that is.

"They are currently building an engine. They are already registered to do it.

"So we will have an engine in 2028, but obviously we need to build to get there. To just, all of a sudden, show up in 2028 with a new engine and no team, we need two years to build there to get there that when we do get our own engine the team's ready to go and be competitive.

"So we are not naive in any way in that way.

“I think once everybody understands what we are really putting together it'll be a point where they can't say no.”