New F1 entry handed demand by existing teams

Toto Wolff, Frederic Vasseur and Oliver Oakes have shared their latest thoughts on the Andretti application to join the F1 paddock.

As FP2 at the Las Vegas Grand Prix drew to a close, RacingNews365 confirmed that FOM (Formula One Management) is due to accept what will become the eleventh team on the F1 grid.

Earlier in the evening in Nevada, the three team principals were asked to weigh in on what is a significantly restructured Andretti project.

Michael Andretti, who was previously spearheading the plans, has stepped back as high-level experience has continued to join. General Motors is now expected to be taking on a larger role and it is at present unclear as to what the name of the team will be.

Despite the initial rejection by F1, the project continued full steam ahead and, although considerably re-worked, looks set to be entering the championship from 2026, with full works status coming from 2028.

"We have an obligation, a statutory obligation as directors to present the standpoint that is the best for our company and for our employees, and we've done that so in the past.

When asked by media including RacingNews365 if those changes had altered their positions on the subject, Wolff replied:

"I think if a team can add to the championship, particularly if GM decides to come in as a team owner, that is a different story.

"And as long as it is creative, that means we're growing the popularity of the sport, we're growing the revenue of the sport, then no team will be ever against it. So I'm putting my hope in there," the Mercedes team boss added.

"No one from Andretti or Andretti Global or whatever the name will be has ever spoken to me a single sentence in presentation of what the accretive part is. But they don't need to because the teams don't decide. It is the commercial rights holder, with the FIA, we have no say.

"We can have an opinion, like I'm having here now - if I want to be invited to a party and [I'm] going to the party, I'm sitting down on the table and telling who I am and why I'm really good fun and sitting here and [that] everybody will enjoy my presence.

"That hasn't happened, but you know, that's my personal point of view, not a professional [one], because there's nothing we can do, nothing we can say. And I don't know the people.

"I've obviously spoken to Mario [Andretti] - once. I didn't speak to his son. I didn't speak to any other people that are behind that. I don't know who they are. So I know GM (General Motors). GM is great."

Vasseur and Oakes

Vasseur reiterated Wolff's point that it is not for the teams to decide, while also joining the Austrian in sharing his opinion on the required virtue of an additional team.

"At the end of the day, I'm not sure that we have our word into the discussion," the Ferrari team principal said. "The discussion is between FIA, the team, and FOM. It's not our choice.

"For sure, as Toto said, that if it's good for the sport, good for the show, good for the business, and add value on the sporting side, that we are all okay. But again, the decision is with FOM and not with Toto, myself or Ollie."

Meanwhile, Oakes, emphasised the value needed for the widespread support throughout the paddock, whilst underlining his belief that FOM had been clear about the initial concerns.

"I think they've covered it all," the Alpine team boss added. "I think FOM was also pretty transparent in their decision and the value they'd need to bring."