Red Bull team principal Christian Horner indicated Formula 1’s existing 10 competitors won’t accept a reduction in their earnings to accommodate a new rival.
Rumours are growing that Formula One Management will drop its objection to an 11th team entering the series in 2026. It rejected an application from Andretti Global and General Motors in January, after it was approved by the FIA last year.
Speculation has grown that FOM may change its stance on the project. Michael Andretti stepped down from his role last month. FOM is facing an investigation by the United States’ Department of Justice over its refusal to admit them.
The teams do not have a say in whether FOM should allow Andretti in, but Horner said the series must take care to ensure their income does not fall if they do.
“It’s really nothing to do with the teams,” he told Sky. “It’s down to the commercial rights holder and the FIA. And like with all these things, it comes down to the finances and how it’s going to be funded.”
Horner has previously questioned whether some F1 tracks have sufficient facilities to accommodate another entrant. Teams typically occupy multiple garages at the tracks they visit, while some garages are given over to others, including the FIA, FOM and, in recent years, a filming crew for the upcoming movie F1.
“I think, as long as logistically it can be accommodated, we’d have absolutely no problem with seeing GM coming in,” said Horner. “But we’re not paying for it.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
“Operationally, somewhere like Zandvoort, I mean how does that work?”
The Red Bull energy drinks brand owns two of F1’s 10 teams: Reigning world champions Red Bull Racing and its junior team RB.
The commercial agreement between the teams, FOM and FIA, is due to be renegotiated for 2026 and beyond. That could lead to changes to the ‘anti-dilution’ fee any new entrant must pay the series. It is currently set at $200 million (£159.6m).
“As I say, there’s no issue with them coming, we’d welcome them with open arms, but we don’t want to see the prize fund diluted,” Horner added. “So there will be that question of whose side of the cake does it come out of. Probably a bit of everybody’s.”
F1 last had 11 teams in 2016 when Haas, the most recent newcomer, arrived. Frederic Vasseur, who leads Red Bull’s rivals Ferrari, said the addition of another team must contribute to the value of the…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at RaceFans…