Formula One Management’s refusal to allow Andretti Cadillac to enter the series over the next two years prompted a critical reaction from current and former IndyCar drivers.
The FIA, the governing body of motorsport, approved Andretti’s bid to enter the series last year. However Andretti failed to gain the support of FOM, which announced yesterday its application had been rejected.
“One of the top five dumbest statements I’ve ever read,” declared former Andretti IndyCar Conor Daly on social media in response to FOM’s 20-point rejection of Andretti’s bid to enter F1. FOM said it did not believe the sport needed an additional 11th team, cast doubt on how competitive Andretti would be and said its brand was not sufficiently well-known among fans.
Former Formula 2 and IndyCar driver Callum Ilott said he was “not sure what else is missing to get an F1 entry.”
“If they couldn’t get an entry I don’t see how anyone else ever can?” he added.
Oriol Servia, who started two races for Andretti in his long IndyCar and ChampCar career, bitterly criticised FOM’s decision. “I’m sure it must be a more complex decision to what it may appear to some of us, however, I found despicable and insulting the reasons [argued] behind it,” he wrote.
“Andretti Global brought to the table funding, commitment, a top-notch manufacturer with Cadillac and GM, a US-based team, earned ‘charisma’ and three generations of motorsport excellence. Hard to argue against the fact that Mario Andretti and Michael Andretti himself are not part of the foundation where F1 sits today.
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“As a team I believe they have won a few things along the way in every championship they have entered: Indycar, IMSA, Formula E, Indianapolis 500, Extreme E, Indy Lights.”
Penske IndyCar driver Scott McLaughlin questioned why F1 had turned down a credible entrant from a country it considers a major market: “A racing series wants to expand into America,” he wrote. “But won’t allow any more American teams in it. Makes sense.”
“It’s alright,” he added. “Take your 10 teams. We will have 27 cars within a second in a few weeks, having zero idea Sunday morning who’s going to win the race. All the very best.”
However American racer Graham Rahal said he was unsurprised by the decision, pointing out his…
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