Steiner predicts 'difficult' Andretti path after F1 spat

Ex-Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner believes Andretti is facing a more “difficult” path to the grid following their approach to join the field.

Andretti's push to join the grid passed the first phase following an evaluation from the sport's governing body, the FIA.

However, its bid was then rejected by F1 itself, who questioned how competitive Andretti could be in the current F1 climate.

Andretti deployed an aggressive response and even caught the attention of United States senators, who publicly condemned F1 for rejecting the application from the American team.

It has continued to push ahead with plans and recently opened a factory at Silverstone while also employing renowned F1 car designer Pat Symonds.

However, Steiner suggested it is too late for Andretti to salvage its bid for an 11th team.

“I think it’s a little bit late to navigate,” Steiner told media including RacingNews365.

“To get out of that it will be very difficult because when you go somewhere to upset or disagree with so many people, it’s difficult to make up for that.

“If I want to be invited to a party, I need to be nice. If I upset the bouncer, he doesn’t let me in.”

Steiner coy over predicting Haas sale

F1 teams are reluctant to add an 11th team to the field over fears of how it might dilute the end-of-year revenue payouts.

But another potential route for Andretti to join the grid is to purchase an existing team, keeping the field at 10 outfits.

Steiner's former team Haas has been touted as a potential organisation that could be sold to Andretti - however Steiner has admitted he has no idea how willing team owner Gene Haas is to part ways with his F1 squad.

“I couldn’t answer that,” he said. “I was there a long time and I still don’t know what he wants to do.

“I didn’t know last year, I didn’t know two years ago and I don’t know what he thinks of the long term.

“I’m not avoiding the question, I just don’t know what he thinks because he could be thinking something today and something different tomorrow.”