1978 F1 Champion Mario Andretti has admitted the Andretti Autosport team is eyeing up potential drivers to join their F1 bid.
Michael Andretti, Mario’s son, is working on constructing an F1 team to join the grid in future years but the proposal has been hit by backlash from up and down the paddock – including Mercedes’ Toto Wolff.
Andretti Autosport’s hopes of entering the F1 paddock under their own name come after a failed attempt to take over Sauber last year.
Speaking to SoyMotor.com, Andretti expressed interest in two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso and American Indycar driver Colton Herta, who missed out on a seat with AlphaTauri in the 2023 season due to him failing to secure his superlicense;
“[Alonso’s] experience is immeasurable and it would be a tremendous thing for us, so we’re going to look at it. I think he wants to keep racing and he’s still in his prime.
“One of the drivers who 99 per cent would be in the team is Colton Herta, but he would need someone with more experience alongside him.
“This would make the team much more complete and that is what is being discussed right now as part of the plan.”
Speaking to the EverythingF1 panel earlier this month, Mario Andretti says the team are driven and determined to set plans in motion and secure a spot in the paddock;
“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 we’re not given up by any stretch of imagination, but some things are beginning to look positive.”
Mario Andretti on the EverythingF1 Podcast
Listen to the entire podcast with Mario and EverythingF1 panelists Tiller, Coops and Sean here.