Seemingly adamant that Andretti cannot gain admission to the club, F1 CEO, Stefano Domenicali insists that the sport is still willing to talk to potential new teams.

As was witnessed at the weekend, F1, under Liberty Media, likes something to celebrate, a reason to party.

Indeed, all the big guns were present at the start of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend - the Friday, the day that they'd previously been telling us was a waste of time - to officially announce Audi's entry to the world championship in 2026.

As the new entry was announced, such was the enthusiasm of (F1 CEO) Stefano Domenicali and (FIA President) Mohammed ben Sulayem to announce the new entry that Audi representatives could barely get a word in.

However, in terms of Michael Andretti there is no such enthusiasm, rather a deafening silence, and just in case the American isn't getting the (subliminal) message, Domenicali admits that the sport is still opening to welcoming a new team, it just has to be the right team.

Those already in the club, including those that have seemingly been hanging on by their fingernails, are keen to pull up the drawbridge behind them, fearing that any newcomer will "dilute" the potential rewards on offer as the Netflix boom continues.

Nonetheless, Domenicali insists he is still willing to talk should the right prospect come along.

"With regard to the value or process related to the possibility of an F1 team to be (entered) into the championship, of course that is the primary step both us and the FIA have to be in agreement for that," he told financial analysts following the announcement of the third quarter financial results.

"I think the first thing we need to consider is whether this eventual possibility will bring extra value to the championship," he added. "If so, of course, we will discuss it internally. We will see if it is any kind of real potential for a new entry to give the benefit for the value of the championship.

"On top of it, there is a value that has to be recognised to the teams that are already in the championship," he admitted, "because of course they cannot allow any dilution of their financial partnership with the F1 championship. This is what is written in the Concorde Agreement.

"Mainly, the point is that eventually a new entry will bring a better position for the F1 championship. This is really an integral value in terms of value from the financial point of view and in terms of value from the sporting point of view.

"It is not a problem to do, I think, one more team to have better racing. Therefore, we will see, we will monitor the situation. It would (need to) be a real credible new entry that wants to discuss with us. We are ready to discuss, but we are not in a rushed position today for that."

While Audi is buying a significant stake in Sauber - a route that Andretti took but which failed - having ended talks with Red Bull, Porsche is understood to be keen to similarly buy into Williams.

It is essentially a franchise system in all but name.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Jim Cargill, 13/11/2022 23:13

"Is failed team boss Stefano Domenicali considered 'credible' as a senior F1 executive@ I think not especially when considering the mess the sport is now in after two dubious championship wins."

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2. Posted by kenji, 10/11/2022 0:34

"@ Defiant...Thanks for your response. I did in fact have a serious problem with Mercedes many years ago. After 9 months ownership I took my [then] E Class coupe back to Mercedes and demanded my money back. It was a dog which was off the road for approx 6 months over the period. Three oil coolers, cracked and undaligned panels, gearbox issues etc etc etc.They didn't pay but gave me another brand new car!!! After that I shifted my ownership to Audi and after owning six of these over the years never had quite the problems I had with Mercedes.That however hasn't clouded my judgement. My focus on Mercedes in F1 is centred around the undue influence that Wolff seems able to wield with the FIA and 'customer teams'. That and the fact that I simply don't care for his projected mien. Arrogance is not a trait that I value highly. That said I look forward to Brazil and what may eventuate.... enjoy the race."

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3. Posted by Max Noble, 10/11/2022 0:29

"@Kenji - quite. If one looks back at Stewart becoming Jaguar… becoming Red Bull it would appear a modest family start-up can build into something that wins championships. How Andretti is not viewed in the same positive light is curious…"

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4. Posted by Defiant, 09/11/2022 18:53

"@kenji, although we agree on this issue, reading your last comment made me laugh. I always read your comments and wonder how long it'll take you to let your Mercedes negativity show through. I wonder if there's a hidden history there? Did you own a Merc at some point? Where you unhappy with it? lol. Maybe Stefano bought a used car off Mario at some point and he's bitter too.
"

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5. Posted by kenji, 09/11/2022 10:17

"@ Max...If Andretti are deemed [ by F1 ] to be clasified as 'not credible' how come Wiliams/Sauber/Haas are 'credible'? As we agree, there has to be something we are not being told that is creating all this negativity towrds Andretti, I believe that as Mercedes were quite vocal about the Andretti proposal that they are actively encouraging others [possibly customers] to support their rejection. Maybe they fear that Andretti may be a better than expected competitor!!!"

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6. Posted by Max Noble, 09/11/2022 8:26

"Agree with so many on this thread.
Andretti is Racing Platinum Class. They have a remarkable history whereby Mario was a founding member of the “Great Drivers” club. Given the “propping up the end of the score card” status of Haas, it is confusing to see Andretti dismissed as “not credible”.
There has to be more of this story that is currently untold.
…then again… if it is all about the money, and the dilution thereof, that would not exactly be a shock for F1…
"

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7. Posted by ancient70!, 09/11/2022 5:47

"This is just pathetic, so F1 has become a closed shop cartel, a second rate circus ? "

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8. Posted by TokyoAussie, 09/11/2022 3:21

"I don't understand the FIA. An American team with name "Andretti" could hardly fail to improve the image of F1 in the US. Let him enter a team. Dividing the spoils with one extra team is hardly a sporting issue."

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9. Posted by Defiant, 09/11/2022 2:55

"Sounds a bit suspect to me. Has Mario upset someone in the elitist club sometime? We used to have a lot more teams in the paddock and when there was too many, they only qualified the top bunch. We also used to have a 107% rule to ensure that any team that actually got to race where credible (well, ish).

So it sounds like a conspiracy to keep Mario out to me. "

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10. Posted by equator180, 09/11/2022 2:20

"Seems Toto has both of Domenici's ears and probably what there is between them as well."

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11. Posted by kenji, 08/11/2022 23:42

"I would seriously like to know what other potential team could outflank the Andretti Global team? From what I've read and learned over the years is that Andretti are a very erious and successful team and that they would bring much professional expertise to the grid. With the current wave of F1 uptake in the Americas Andretti should be a shoe in...so what's the real reason behind the standoff? Wolff has been extremely vocal out of all the teams so I guess that he has something to concern himself about! Hopefully we'll see another team sooner rather than later. Stick with it Mario....."

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12. Posted by Tardis40, 08/11/2022 20:42

"Two or three of the current ones don't tick the credible box"

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13. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 08/11/2022 20:32

"I'd like to see Haas sell or partner with Andretti. Let Andretti own it and Haas be a title sponsor."

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14. Posted by RRZX-14, 08/11/2022 19:14

"So, no one can join the "club" without buying 50% or more of an existing team? That is a franchise system, period. No amount of glitz & glitter will change that. One more reason to take a pass on F1."

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15. Posted by Superbird70, 08/11/2022 18:25

"Other than the USA where are they going to find a team?? Saudi Arabia?? Not just credible but incredible."

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New F1 team must be "credible", insists Domenicali

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