While the 2024 F1 season is likely to provide plenty of drama on the track, another big story continues to unfold off the track: the proposed Andretti/Cadillac partnership has had no shortage of twists and turns, drawing F1 fans into the halls of the US Congress and beyond.
The latest development in the saga came when Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) president Mohamed Ben Sulayem proposed a solution to the impasse over the proposed Andretti Cadillac team during the Monaco Grand Prix. The FIA had approved Andretti Cadillac’s bid to join the F1 grid, but Formula One Management (FOM), the sport’s commercial rights holders, rejected the team’s proposal earlier this year.
In Monaco ReutersBen Sulayem suggested the solution was that Andretti Cadillac should buy the existing team.
“FOM and Liberty [Media — F1’s ownership group] As long as it’s an OEM, I’d like to see other teams too. [Original Equipment/Car Manufacturers]”I would like to give them some advice. [Andretti-Cadillac] They’re not coming in as the 11th team, they’re going to buy another team.”
According to the FIA president, it’s a question of quality, not quantity.
“I feel some of the teams need a revamp. Which is better? 11 teams or 10 strong teams? I think there should be more teams, but no teams is no good. We need proper teams,” Ben Sulayem added.
“It’s not about quantity, it’s about quality.”
Ben Sulayem noted that some of the teams currently on the grid are “struggling” and that there is a certain appeal to having a truly American team on the F1 grid. Haas is the only American team at present, but current drivers Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg are from Denmark and Germany respectively.
A key selling point of Andretti and Cadillac’s bid is that it will be a truly American operation. Beyond the General Motors affiliation, Michael Andretti noted when the partnership was announced in January 2023 that the goal was to field an American driver.[An] “An American manufacturer with an American team and an American driver is going to be the big story of the year,” Andretti told media. SB NationDuring a conference call last year.
“I won’t name names, but there are teams that are struggling with performance and teams that are struggling with management,” Ben Sulayem said. Reuters. “It’s about having the right team, not losing out on opportunities and opportunities for someone like GM.” [General Motors] With PU [power unit] Coming to Formula One.
“Imagine the impact. We have three races in the US. We have a huge fan base. But we don’t have a proper [American] “We are very happy to welcome Ford to the team,” added Ben Sulayem. [with Red Bull from 2026] But imagine if GM existed and had American drivers.”
Despite FOM’s refusal to allow Andretti Cadillac onto the F1 grid, the team is forging ahead with its F1 operations. Andretti Cadillac opened a new facility at Silverstone, near the site of the British Grand Prix, and recently announced the signing of Pat Symons, a move that shocked the sporting world. With decades of experience in F1 and having served as F1’s Chief Technical Officer for seven years, Symons will join the team after a short stint as gardener.
It remains to be seen whether he will join the 11th team on the grid, or whether he will join a team that seeks to buy an existing team, as recommended by FIA president Ben Sulayem.
