Michael Andretti says he expects to receive news of whether his entry to the Formula One World Championship has been accepted in "mid-July".

Ever since announcing his desire to enter the sport the American has faced stiff opposition from its main stakeholder and a majority of the teams. The subsequent announcement that he had partnered with General Motors, using its Cadillac brand, did little to soften the resistance.

While most of the objections have centred on money, the teams fearing that additional 'mouths to feed' will mean less prize money all round, leading to suggestions of a $600m 'dilution payment', concerns have also been raised about the value new teams would bring, their financial stability and even the logistics of the current circuits hosting them.

The stance of Formula One Management, essentially Liberty Media, appears particularly odd, the sport appearing to give the shoulder to household American names at a time it is overseeing the total Americanisation of the sport. To many it simply doesn't make sense.

Amidst the objections, McLaren and Alpine were alone in giving their support to Andretti, the saga taking a further twist when, seemingly as part of his power play with Liberty, FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem opened up the process whereby two new teams could apply to enter the sport.

Speaking at the weekend, Michael Andretti said he is awaiting the official decision.

That's our goal, we're working on it," he told reporters. "We have a process that we're in the middle of with the FIA and we're submitting our paperwork this week, and hopefully get an answer middle of July.

"We're making good progress," he added. "We're building a team as we speak."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 13/05/2023 4:27

"It's easy to accept the franchise argument but at no time have I seen or heard the real reasons why such a powerful combination of Team/Corporate alliances/partnerships will not assist in a further expansion of the F1 global success? Andretti Global is huge and has the chops to succeed so why not give them an entry? "

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2. Posted by Spindoctor, 12/05/2023 14:30

"'The stance of Formula One Management, essentially Liberty Media, appears particularly odd, the sport appearing to give the shoulder to household American names at a time it is overseeing the total Americanisation of the sport...'

A neat summation of their paradoxical stance. My guess is that (as ever) we need to 'follow the money'. Those of us interested in F1 as Sport tend to miss the 'Franchisation' of F1 (as bemoaned several times by @editor).
Allowing new entrants potentially devalues those existing franchises, something the likes of Toto & indeed Horner & co. probably don't relish...."

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3. Posted by kenji, 11/05/2023 1:13

"@ Chester...Thank you very much for your kind comment. One word of warning...as a dyed in the wool 'troll/ghoul/general disruptor [according to some ] any association with my outlook could be a black mark against your name hahaha. Keeping the faith."

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4. Posted by Chester, 10/05/2023 16:18

"I like your thinking, Kenji! Always brilliant"

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5. Posted by kenji, 10/05/2023 3:36

"Andretti will not take any rejection quietly and neither should they. It's my belief that they should get an entry but certain teams are wary of more competition...especially one outspoken TP who really should be worried!!! It has been forecast that a refusal could well develop into a complex legal argument revolving around the EU and possible anti cartel laws. Now that would be very interesting...."

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6. Posted by Motorsport-fan, 09/05/2023 18:39

"Will be interesting to see how Liberty play this if Andretti is denied an entry."

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7. Posted by Superbird70, 09/05/2023 15:56

"Mid-July, when hell freezes over."

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Andretti awaits "mid-July" decision on F1 entry

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