The Andretti family are hoping for the “nice Christmas present” of official confirmation that they can enter a team into F1.
Following ample speculation that the Italian-Americans were keen of overseeing an 11th pair of drivers on the grid, things took a turn in February when Mario confirmed his son Michael had submitted an official proposal to the FIA. Mario, 82, was an F1 world champion with Lotus back in 1978.
However, the family have seemingly met opposition to their bid from current F1 teams. Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has been one to opposed the idea, angering Andretti by instead saying he'd favour a manufacturer like Audi to be the next entrants.
There has also been a perception that current teams are reluctant to share revenue with an 11th constructor, especially amid stringent new budget cap regulations. But Michael Andretti, who was seen talking to F1 executives at the inaugural Miami Grand Prix in May, has revealed that progress has been made.
He told the The Indianapolis Star the family were hopeful of a timely gift this month. “We’re hoping in the next couple weeks," he said. “That would sure be a nice Christmas present.”
Andretti also dismissed any notion of the family purchasing the AlphaTauri team, amid rumours circulating that Red Bull may be willing to sell. “No, they’re not interested,” he insisted.
“But we’re working every day [to earn clearance for an expansion team]. I’m still confident. We’re getting close. We haven’t gotten the ‘OK’ yet, but we’re getting really close.”
The news comes in the same month that Hong Kong billionaire Calvin Lo voiced his own plans to enter into F1. The ambitious businessman wants to be on the grid by 2026.
“It’s funny, F1 is the fastest thing going, but it’s the slowest thing when it comes to documentations and logistics,” he told The Mirror. “I think we are still in early stages, relatively speaking, but definitely exploring and punching numbers right now.”
