Vasseur counters much-heard Andretti argument, points to Max effect

The FIA is enthusiastic. They would like an eleventh team on the grid. Several teams expressed interest in an F1 entry, but only Andretti's entry was approved by the International Motorsport Federation. They consider the Andretti project feasible and think the Americans will be an addition to the sport.

However, Liberty Media and the teams are stymied for the time being. The former wants to keep the sport as exclusive as possible, as this keeps the circus more valuable. The teams are especially afraid that all the money they earn will soon no longer be shared by 10 teams, but by 11. So the racing teams only want to welcome Andretti if the pie gets bigger, but they are not immediately confident of that.

Verstappen as an example

Formula 1 has huge growth potential in the United States. The three Grands Prix help with that, but so does an American team. At least, that is often said. Vasseur disagrees. "It is more about the drivers than the nationalities of the teams. Formula 1 is a success in the country where the drivers are successful." He cites Max Verstappen as an example. In the Netherlands, the king class of motorsport is incredibly popular and there is no team from the Netherlands. Moreover, Vasseur argues that a second US team in Formula 1 will not make much difference. After all, with Haas F1, a US team has been competing for years.

"If we want to be successful in the United States, it is more about having an American driver - a successful one - than an American team," Vasseur told Motorsport-Total.com. Logan Sargeant made his debut on behalf of Williams last year, but he was not very successful. The rookie scored just one point in 22 weekends.

What Andretti can do is promise to put an American driver in one of their two cars. Possibly that changes things a bit (for Vasseur), but then it always remains the point: the pie has to get bigger. At least with Andretti, they are ready for it, but Formula 1 is not yet.