Formula 1, which is owned by Liberty Media, has turned down the offer to become the 11th team. They expressed doubts about the competitiveness and value of the team, despite FIA approval last October. This decision led the US House of Representatives Judiciary Committee to launch an investigation into possible “anticompetitive conduct.”
In a statement, Andretti announced that Symonds, who has extensive experience in Formula 1, will join their base in Silverstone as an executive engineering consultant. The exact start date was not provided, but it will be after Symonds’ “paid leave” period. Team owner Michael Andretti expressed confidence in Symonds’ expertise in aerodynamics, vehicle dynamics, and Formula 1 power units, stating that it will be crucial in building a competitive team. Andretti also highlighted Symonds’ significant contribution to shaping the Formula 1 narrative and expressed satisfaction with this next step in their progress.
Symonds, a veteran in the world of Formula 1, has worked with legendary drivers like Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, and Fernando Alonso. Throughout his career, he played a key role in winning four driver championships and three constructor titles. However, he was also involved in the infamous “crashgate” scandal during the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. This incident saw Renault’s Nelson Piquet intentionally crash to help his teammate Alonso, who was not implicated. As a result, Symonds faced a Formula 1 ban in 2009, but later returned as the technical chief of Williams in 2013 after working as a technical consultant for the now-defunct Marussia team.
Nick Chester, technical director of Andretti and former colleague of Symonds at Renault, emphasized that Symonds’ appointment as Executive Engineering Consultant will bring valuable expertise in various technical and operational areas of the team, contributing to the team’s development.
