During Mario Andretti’s appearance on the EverythingF1 podcast this past week, the 1978 Formula 1 World Champion provided an update on Andretti Autosport’s attempts to enter Formula 1.
This past week Mario Andretti appeared on the EverythingF1 podcast (click here to listen to the full podcast) to chat with the team about his career in Motorsport. Throughout the podcast Mario chatted about all parts of his time in Motorsports, including winning in Indycar and Formula 1, meeting some of his motorsport hero’s that included Jim Clark, Juan Manuel Fangio and the time he beat his son, Michael in a drag race over the line!
However, When Mario was asked about Andretti Autosport’s continued attempt to enter Formula 1, the 1978 World Champion give the panel an up date:
James Tiller: (talking about Mario’s son, Michael Andretti), and now he’s trying to bring a team into Formula One. Now I don’t know the ins and outs of it, is it going to be possible in the next few years to see the Andretti name in Formula One as a with Michael, as a team owner?
Mario Andretti: Well, it’s not from the lack of trying I can assure you. Yeah. Yeah. And we’re trying very, very hard. I mean, I assure you we’re working every single day to accomplish that. And again it’s the pure passion that drives us, you know? But we know the business. We know what we’re dealing with. We know what we’re facing, and the objectives are clear. And and we’re not given up by any stretch of imagination, but some things are beginning to look positive.
Sean Kennedy: That’s amazing. You certainly wouldn’t be lacking for a fan base if and when it does come off because as Tiller said, anyone who even has an inkling towards motor sport knows the Andretti name. And I know I’d be buying lots of Andretti merch if he made it into f1 as a team owner, we’d keep our fingers crossed, so that might happen someday soon.
Mario Andretti: Start saving your money then. Yeah?
James Tiller: There’s the confidence that we like to hear. Yes.
Sean Kennedy: That’s definitely it. I’ll start putting my fivers away now. . Yeah
Mario Andretti discusses Andretti Autosport’s entry into Formula 1
There is no denying that Andretti’s entry into Formula 1 is at an early stage. As Mario stated in the podcast, Andretti Autosport are not ignorant to the challenges in securing a place on the Formula 1 grid.
Andretti Autosport and Formula 1
During the 2022 season reports surfaced that Andretti Autosport announced that they were looking to enter Formula 1, with discussions with Sauber looking promising, however these discussions broke down. Andretti turned there attention to entering Formula 1 with a brand new team, a decision that caught the attention of the F1 paddock. With Toto Wolff, CEO and Team Principal of Mercedes F1 team commenting:
“Andretti is a [significant] name, for sure, and the American market is important. Every team that is joining needs to add value,”
News around Andretti and Formula 1 seems to have died down, however an article appeared on Yahoo! Finance recently that seemed to confirm that Andretti has partnered with the owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are willing to pay the $200million anti dilution fee.
This is a sizable amount of funding and an important hurdle passed if it comes to fruition.
Source: Yahoo Finance Article: