03/02/2024
NEWS STORY
In a follow-up to its initial reaction to its rejection from entry to F1, Andretti has questioned one of reasons given.
Initially Andretti had been looking to enter the sport in 2025 but as the matter dragged on it appeared 2026 was more likely. With the rules overhaul in 2026 this would have meant the new team having to build what would effectively be two entirely different cars. Nonetheless, Andretti claimed that it was prepared to enter in 2025 on this basis.
"We do not believe there is a basis for any new applicant to be admitted in 2025 given that this would involve a novice entrant building two completely different cars in its first two years of existence," said F1 in its rejection of the new team. "The fact that the applicant proposes to do so gives us reason to question their understanding of the scope of the challenge involved."
"When Andretti Cadillac entered the FIA expression of interest process almost a year ago, the preferred first year of participation was indicated as 2025," said the American team in a follow-up to its initial statement. "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," it continued. "The technicality of 2025 still being part of the application is a result of the length of this process."
Meanwhile, in a twist that would appear to come straight out of the 'dog ate my homework' handbook of excuses, Andretti claims that an invitation to discuss the situation somehow ended up in a spam folder.
"Having had the opportunity to consider the applicant's responses together with our own deliberations, we subsequently wrote to the applicant on 12 December 2023 extending an invitation to an in-person meeting at our offices in order for the applicant to present its application," explained FOM, "but the applicant did not take us up on this offer."
"We were not aware that the offer of a meeting had been extended and would not decline a meeting with Formula One Management," said Andretti, who subsequently found the errant email which had been sent by an F1 employee and note CEO, Stefano Domenicali.
"An in-person meeting to discuss commercial matters would be and remains of paramount importance to Andretti Cadillac," said the American team. "We welcome the opportunity to meet with Formula One Management and have written to them confirming our interest."
Adding further spice to the situation, in reaction to F1's rejection of Andretti, the FIA, which had given the green light to the American team, issued its own brief statement.
"The FIA notes the announcement of Formula One Management in relation to the FIA Formula One World Championship teams' Expression of Interest process," it read. "We are engaging in dialogue to determine next steps."
Intriguingly, Andretti's statement concluded...
"Our work continues at pace."