The global response is emerging in response to the decision of Formula One's commercial owners to exclude the Andretti Motorsport Organization from their competitions. Despite the team's participation in Indycar, IMSA, Indy NXT, Formula E, and the Supercars Championship, it seems they are deemed incompetent for Formula One.
The Liberty Media company, overseeing their Formula One interests through FOM, released a statement casting doubt on whether the Andretti organization understood the intricacies of managing an F1 team. Despite this, Andretti expressed their readiness to join the sport in 2025, bringing their own car design and utilizing a Renault power unit.
Formula 1 teams have been critical of the extensive sharing of money, especially as significant changes in car design regulations are expected in 2026. The Formula One Management (FOM) expressed skepticism about the understanding of the Andretti organization regarding the upcoming challenges.
This critique is also directed at the FIA, which spent six months evaluating the Andretti proposal, ultimately approving it while rejecting four others. While the FIA holds the legal authority to determine entrants to the sport, Liberty Media is flexing its muscles to question the competence of F1's governing body.
In essence, the absurd situation revolves around financial considerations. If Andretti joins Formula One, the existing teams would either have to share a reduced prize money pool, or Liberty Media would need to contribute additional funds to accommodate the eleventh team.
Despite Formula One's constitution allowing for up to twelve teams, the ongoing debate centers on the contention that the current ten teams have benefited from incremental shares of the prize fund, while two grid slots have remained vacant for an extended period.
The Haas F1 team is being labeled as a "shit show" embarrassment, and one of Liberty Media's arguments against Andretti's inclusion in Formula One is that they do not contribute value to the sport. Liberty contends that only if General Motors, through Cadillac, produces a power unit, would Andretti meet the value criteria. However, General Motors has indicated it will only be ready to supply a power unit for the 2028 season, prompting Liberty to acknowledge that perhaps the added value criteria will be met then.
The situation appears farcical considering Formula One already has another team, Haas F1, financed poorly by its owner and consistently performing as the perennial bottom-tier competitor. Despite adding minimal value to the sport, Haas is part of the elite club, and its methodology and performance remain unquestioned.
Haas F1 doesn't design its own car; the chassis is produced by Dallara, and it acquires most components from top team Ferrari. Despite this approach, Haas continues to underperform. Interestingly, when Red Bull employs a similar methodology with their junior team, the Visa Cash App Red Bull team, it is expected to outperform its American-owned competitor in 2024.
Competitors in the Indycar series from the United States have criticized Liberty Media's decision, with Conor Daly describing it as "one of the top 5 dumbest statements I’ve ever read." The historical errors plaguing Formula One are becoming increasingly apparent.
IndyCar boss ridicules F1, labeling it an elitist sport that prioritizes U.S. companies' and wealthy individuals' money but disregards the broader audience. Graham Rahal emphasized the longstanding perception that F1 has consistently favored exclusivity over inclusivity.
In response to the news about Andretti Motorsport's exclusion, Rahal commented, "F1 is an elitist sport. They don’t want us. Remember that. They want US companies' money, they want wealthy US individuals' money. But they don’t care about the rest. Always has been that way, always will be."
Top Indy driver Scott McLaughlin criticized F1's expansion into America while restricting American teams, highlighting the contradiction in the racing series' approach.
Despite fans and F1 writers advocating for more than 10 teams and 20 cars, those financially benefiting the most from the sport seem indifferent to the audience's desires.
The FIA, which sanctioned Andretti's entry, is yet to respond to Liberty Media's decision. However, it is anticipated that F1's American owners will face opposition from the FIA.
Andretti Motorsport, expressing disappointment, plans to challenge the decision on anti-competitive grounds in U.S. courts, according to TJ13.
Formula One's pursuit of the American dollar, evident in new races in Miami and Las Vegas, has seen increased US company sponsorship. Still, TV viewership in the US dipped in 2023, contrasting with the peak numbers in 2022.
Around 1 million viewers in the US watch F1 on TV, with the bulk of the audience in Europe, averaging a staggering 70 million per Grand Prix weekend.
Personal grievances may be contributing to the backlash against Andretti, with allegations of a contentious approach in their bid to join F1. F1 expert Mark Gallagher revealed discontent among senior personnel about Michael Andretti's tactics, suggesting a perceived backdoor attempt to secure entry.
The dynamics of F1, governed by the elite Piranha Club, are marked by competitiveness both on and off the track. Personal and professional rivalries shape the narrative in the tightly-knit community of individuals ruling the F1 paddock.
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