Former Formula 1 driver Herbert highlighted that the dominant teams in the sport, namely Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull, have always prioritized their own interests. However, this is not a new phenomenon in Formula 1.
Despite the FIA and its president Mohammed Ben Sulayem defending the approval of Michael Andretti’s proposal, which went through a rigorous evaluation process, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali announced in January that Andretti’s Cadillac proposal had been rejected.
This rejection of the “Cadillac proposal supported by Andretti that F1 cannot refuse,” as Ben Sulayem stated, left the FIA chief and his organization embarrassed. They may have believed they had full control over the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, but it seems they only carry out the necessary tasks while Liberty Media (represented by Domenicali) calls the shots.
The FIA’s response to this situation has been disappointingly weak, and it is still unclear if they have reacted in any way.
Although the Andretti issue has been overshadowed by news of the possibility of Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari, the controversy surrounding Christian Horner’s “inappropriate behavior” at Red Bull, and the ongoing F1 tests in Bahrain, it is important not to overlook it.
During a discussion with reporters, Herbert emphasized the positive aspects of having Andretti on the F1 grid. He stated, “The addition of Andretti’s name to the F1 grid is beneficial in several ways. Firstly, it means two more cars on the grid. Secondly, it allows more drivers to participate. The argument against this seems to be if they can bring more financial resources to the sport. With four races in the United States, this is undoubtedly a positive aspect.”
Herbert also expressed his confusion as to why Andretti’s proposal was rejected, highlighting the lack of vision in the decision. He believes this would have added another dimension to the grid and improved the overall show of Formula 1. He expressed his hope that this situation can be resolved and that Andretti will eventually be allowed to participate in the sport.
It can be argued that it is misleading or “false advertising” for Formula 1 to promote itself as the pinnacle of the sport while preventing the entry of an 11th team, not to mention the 12 teams allowed, into the competition. This results in the current situation where there are only ten F1 teams, undermining the idea of a competitive field.
The F1 teams themselves, led by McLaren CEO Zak Brown, question whether Red Bull and VCARB (also known as Toro Rosso and AlphaTauri) should be considered as a team with four cars. This problem continues to persist and will only worsen if Red Bull’s four owned cars consistently finish in the top positions during qualifying and Grand Prix races.
This essentially counts as 1.5 teams. In reality, there are only three teams – Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari – that have dominated the sport since 2010. These teams are also Power Unit suppliers, giving them significant influence over their customer teams.
In addition to Alpine, the only manufacturer outside this group that exclusively powers its own two cars, Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes hold the reins of Formula 1. They make the decisions and have formed an unofficial alliance to keep any potential competitors at bay.
By excluding potentially stronger operations from entering Formula 1, they can hardly consider themselves the pinnacle of motorsport. Instead, they are more accurately described as the Piranha Club, a name they have earned due to their collective behavior.
Brown’s criticism of Red Bull and its junior team is a clear example of the Piranhas attacking each other within their own fishbowl, visible for all to witness. The remarks and insinuations they make as they circulate, ready to pounce on a vulnerable Christian Horner, further demonstrate this behavior.
Considering this context, we asked Herbert if Formula 1 is becoming an exclusive club. He replied, “I don’t believe it is becoming a club. It has always been a club. It has always had this aspect. I can remember my time in the early 90s.”
“For example, in the mid-90s, there were essentially three teams that controlled the sport – Ferrari, McLaren, and Williams. They were the ones who had access to the best tires and did all the tire testing.”
“Goodyear, for example. And then the other teams simply got what was given to them, which obviously favored them more than us when I was at Lotus, for example. Our car would never be able to use the tires in the same way.”
“So there have always been these top teams that dictate what happens. Over time, fairly, in my personal opinion, the FIA has become more important because you need someone to oversee the sport.”
“They receive a lot of criticism. However, the teams also play their own games to try to benefit from certain regulations or incidents that occur on the track. Sometimes, they try to manipulate these situations.”
“I completely understand why they engage in such actions,” Herbert expressed. “We can go back to the battle between Christian and Toto, Max and Lewis for the championship and the excessive radio communication that occurred. They will always explore every aspect to gain an advantage.”
“Preventing the entry of another team is a clear example of the control they seek, which I completely understand. However, there is a broader perspective that many people would like to see, with more cars on the track.”
“I don’t foresee any problems. I know sometimes they claim there is a shortage of garages in the pits. However, there are enough garages available. They would just need to be rearranged slightly to accommodate one more car or allow a team to join the grid, and that wouldn’t be a problem.”
“Formula 1 has always found innovative ways to make things work and fit. I hope this becomes a prominent issue in the future because I believe another team would only enhance the entire Formula 1 community,” speculated Herbert.
The problem lies in the fact that the Formula 1 community is currently very expansive, with the sport flourishing and team prices increasing. With reports suggesting that Audi’s anticipated entry into F1 in 2026 is uncertain, it is possible that Andretti could seize the opportunity by acquiring Sauber’s shares from the Volkswagen-controlled company to fulfill Michael’s dream of owning an F1 team.
However, this would not constitute the 11th team that the FIA advocated for, nor would it fulfill F1’s right to have a 12th team. Sticking with the current ten teams would hardly be a triumph; instead, it signifies a missed opportunity for the sport and its owners, as Herbert previously highlighted. From this, we can deduce who truly holds the reins of power in F1.
© 2024
The thrilling end of the football season has come to an end, leaving fans ecstatic with the twists and incredible plays. The Flamengo team emerged as champions, taking the trophy home after an intense match against rival Palmeiras. Flamengo fans went crazy with the decisive goal scored in the final minutes of the game. It was a historic victory for the Rio de Janeiro team, who won the title after many years of waiting.
The game started with Palmeiras showing their strength, dominating possession and putting pressure on Flamengo. However, the defense of the Rio de Janeiro team proved solid and managed to hold off the opponent’s attacks. The first half ended goalless, leaving fans anxious for the second half.
In the second half, Flamengo came back strong and created good goal-scoring opportunities. Palmeiras also didn’t back down and responded with dangerous plays. The game became even more tense when Palmeiras opened the scoring, putting Flamengo at a disadvantage.
But the red-black team didn’t give up and pushed forward. The pressure paid off, and Flamengo managed to equalize the game, taking the decision to extra time. It was a moment of great emotion for the fans, who couldn’t contain their anxiety.
In extra time, Flamengo showed their resilience and scored the winning goal. It was a moment of ecstasy for the fans, who celebrated the possibility of victory. Palmeiras tried to fight back, but couldn’t overcome Flamengo’s defense.
When the final whistle blew, Flamengo players celebrated the title with great euphoria. Fans stormed the field and threw an unforgettable party. It was a night of glory for the Rio de Janeiro team, who made history and left their mark on Brazilian football.
Now, Flamengo players are preparing to celebrate the title with a big party. The fans are eager to celebrate alongside their idols and show their full support. The football season has come to an end, but the passion of the fans for the sport continues to burn. Flamengo is the champion and the pride of the red-black nation.
