One of the many storylines occurring in the world of Formula 1 this season is the potential introduction of an 11 team on the grid.
There have been 20 drivers in the paddock for some time with American outfit Haas the last new manufacturer to earn a place in the sport.
Martin Brundle spoke to Mario Andretti for Sky Sports F1 (5/4 8:41pm) on the grid ahead of the Miami Grand Prix and asked for the latest update on the team’s chance of reaching Formula 1.
There were some encouraging signs for Andretti when the FIA gave them the green light to have their application reviewed by Formula One Management (FOM).
However, at the end of January, the FOM announced that it had rejected Andretti’s application to join the F1 grid, citing several reasons including the fact that they believed the team would benefit more from Formula 1 than the other way around.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff even gave a rather bizarre reason as to why he didn’t think Andretti were ready to be in F1.
Mario Andretti has now told Brundle that the team intends to be on the Formula 1 grid in 2026.
That’s going to take an awful lot of work, but they’re already putting things in motion behind the scenes.
Mario Andretti tells Martin Brundle that they’re aiming for Formula 1 entry in 2026
At the start of April, Andretti officially opened a new facility in Silverstone, with the intention of working on both sides of the Atlantic on their F1 project.
They’ve been regularly hiring staff as they hope to prove that they’re ready to go whenever they get the green light.
That hasn’t come yet and if they’re not accepted before the new Concorde Agreement is reached, then the entry fee for Andretti could triple.
It would be bad news for Andretti but if they’re going to enter Formula 1 for 2026, then they might be able to reach an agreement before any terms are accepted.
They’ve been linked with buying the struggling Alpine team, however, Michael Andretti believes that FOM can be convinced to allow them onto the grid sooner rather than alter.
Andretti still working on F1 project
On his infamous grid walk, Brundle bumped into Mario Andretti and asked: “What can you tell us about trying to get your team into Formula 1?”
Andretti replied: “Well, all I can say is we’re working every day on it. We’re ready to meet whatever challenges there is, just tell us what and we’re in because we’re preparing in every possible way and our intention is to be on the grid in 2026.”
Brundle said: “2026? So, that’s some breaking news. So yeah, do you think that’s reasonable, do you think that’s doable?”
Andretti concluded: “Well, absolutely 100%, we’re working on it already so we can show you, come to Silverstone and we’ll show you.”
In an interview with The Guardian, Andretti added: “We have completed everything that we needed to satisfy the FIA and for some reason when it was in the hands of FOM we have just met some resistance.
“The biggest problem is that there is nothing specific saying: ‘If you do this, you are in.’ That’s the issue. I am hoping and praying some reason will prevail.”
It would be a huge boost for Formula 1 if Andretti were on the grid in 2026.
The more cars on the grid the better, and given their racing pedigree, it’s unlikely that it would take Andretti long to get up to speed.
Audi will also join the grid in 2026 – taking over from the current Sauber team – and it would be fascinating to see how both outfits got to grips with F1 at the same time.
The post ‘Our intention’: Mario Andretti tells Martin Brundle when he wants Andretti team to be on the Formula 1 grid appeared first on F1 Oversteer.