The prospective Andretti Formula 1 team says it is “not aware” of any invitation from Formula One Management to discuss their bid to join the championship.
The American team, in partnership with GM brand Cadillac, were the only successful applicant from a process opened by the FIA last year to find a potential 11th team to join the F1 grid.
However, Andretti still required approval from FOM, the sport’s commercial rights holders, in order to be accepted to receive a share of television revenue and prize money for their participation in the championship.
Earlier this week, FOM announced it had rejected Andretti’s bid to join the championship in either 2025 or 2026.
Among the reasons for the rejection were concerns over the ability of a brand new team to build two vastly different cars – first to join the championship in 2025, then for the major technical regulations changes the following season in 2026. FOM also claimed they had extended an invitation to a face-to-face meeting with team management, but had received no response.
In a statement from the team to RaceFans, Andretti representatives denied knowledge of any invitation to meet with FOM to discuss their entry into the championship prior to their rejection of their application.
“We were not aware that the offer of a meeting had been extended and would not decline a meeting with Formula One Management,” the team said.
“An in-person meeting to discuss commercial matters would be and remains of paramount importance to Andretti Cadillac. We welcome the opportunity to meet with Formula One Management and have written to them confirming our interest.”
Andretti also explained that their intention to enter the championship in 2025 was true when they submitted their application last year, but had shifted their focus to 2026 due to the protracted application process.
“When Andretti Cadillac entered the FIA expression of interest process almost a year ago, the preferred first year of participation was indicated as 2025,” the team explained.
“The FIA approved our application, with no specific limitation on whether the entry was for 2025 or 2026. Andretti Cadillac has been operating with 2026 as the year of entry for many months now. The technicality of 2025 still being part of the application is a result of the length of this process.”
Andretti state that their efforts to prepare for a potential entry into the championship “continues at pace”, despite their rejection by FOM.
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