Opinion | F1 should welcome Andretti-Cadillac with open arms
Column
- Ludo van Denderen
Michael Andretti has been fighting for years to enter Formula 1, and finally, it seems to be coming, or at least it could be. The American has shown to be an added value in various racing classes, as he expects to be when he enters the F1 grid. Only the FOM and Formula 1 have yet to be convinced of that. According to the FIA, Andretti can become a competitive player in the premier class of motorsport.
Successful in IndyCar, Formula E, Extreme E, and IMSA too (where his team leads the championship). In fact, he wins in every class the Andretti team competes in. And yet there is that lingering doubt among teams in Formula 1: does Andretti, with partner Cadillac, add value for them, and should they give him access to the grid from (possibly as early as) 2025? Michael Andretti has already spoken out regularly on why the answer to that question should be 'yes'. Yet the best argument was delivered on the streets of London a week ago.
Andretti guarantee of success
Only a professional, well-run organisation manages to become the world champion in one of the leading racing classes. In Formula E, Andretti entered into the right partnership (with Porsche), then found the right people for day-to-day management and, on top of that, the team has an attraction for strong drivers. Jake Dennis is proof of that.
No one should have any doubt that Andretti and Cadillac will also be well-versed in Formula 1. Talented drivers want and will drive for the Andretti F1 team, you can easily assume that. This team will not work with drivers who bring more sponsorship money than talent. Andretti is far too ambitious for that. When the former McLaren F1 driver starts something, he wants to win. And so he can do that in every class he competes in.
The biggest stumbling block for the other F1 teams is and remains money. They want an Andretti-Cadillac entry to imply that every team gets more revenue. If Andretti brings just a fraction of the success he has in Formula E or IMSA to F1, there is no doubt it will come. After all, a competitive team increases the excitement in Formula 1, keeps fans glued to the tele, increases the number of sponsors as a result, and thus increases the revenue stream. And let's be honest: what added value do, say, Haas or Alfa Romeo have at the moment? Are those the teams that made Formula 1 grow into the powerful brand it is today?
F1 entrance very close for Andretti
Andretti was kept in limbo by Formula 1 for months. But on Monday, 2nd October, the redeeming word came. Andretti may be the only one of the teams that showed interest in an F1 entry to move on to the next stage of talks. Mohamed Ben Sulayem, the FIA boss, was always keen to see Andretti and Cadillac come, and the rest of the FIA is also convinced.
Now for the rest. Formula 1 teams should know better: Andretti-Cadillac joining them on the grid is going to be a success. Instead of keeping him at bay, they should welcome the American and his team with open arms.