The recent advice from FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to Andretti is a significant change in tone and indicates a larger shift happening behind the scenes. Up to this point, Ben Sulayem had been a strong advocate for Andretti’s proposal to enter Formula 1 as a new team. He was the one who initially opened the process for new teams to register their interest, much to the displeasure of the Formula 1 Administration. However, in a recent interview, Ben Sulayem advised Andretti to consider buying an existing team instead of pursuing an 11th entry. He believes that some teams in Formula 1 need to be refreshed and that it is more important to have quality teams than a specific number. This change in position is significant and represents a shift in support for Andretti to suggest an alternative approach.
Although this change in perspective brings Ben Sulayem closer to the Formula 1 Administration, it does not necessarily change the overall situation. The fact is that the FIA approved Andretti’s entry while the Formula 1 Administration rejected it. However, this indicates a desire to repair the tense relationship between the FIA and the Formula 1 Administration. While the FIA may still support Andretti’s aspirations, it also recognizes the reality of the situation and the need to find a pragmatic solution that allows Andretti’s entry without disrupting the current system of 10 teams. Unfortunately, this does not mean that Andretti’s entry is imminent or any closer, despite the president’s words.
The change in perspective from Ben Sulayem also raises the question of what options are available for Andretti. The most likely options include Red Bull, Haas, and Alpine. However, Red Bull is not for sale, although they are considering various directions for their second F1 team. Haas is also unlikely to be sold, given the animosity between Andretti and Gene Haas. Alpine, on the other hand, is not officially for sale, but there are concerns about Renault’s commitment. Although these options exist, they are hypothetical, and any potential sale would require a high price due to teams’ reluctance to give up their entries.
The resistance of Formula 1 and its teams to expansion is well-documented. They are cautious about diluting the value of the championship and the teams. This makes the option of buying the best for Andretti. However, it is challenging to buy something from a closed store. Ben Sulayem’s change in stance has helped to reduce some tension in the saga between the FIA and the Formula 1 Administration. This is beneficial for the governing body and its president, but it does little to advance Andretti’s project, which seems to be increasingly isolated.
