Lewis Hamilton has expressed his full support for the potential entry of Michael Andretti’s team into Formula One. The seven-time world champion driver believes it would benefit the sport in many ways but acknowledged his opinion may cause disquiet among many in the F1 paddock.
F1 has not hosted 11 teams on the grid since 2016 but, earlier this week, the FIA gave its approval on Andretti’s application to enter F1. The process now moves on to Formula One Management and the existing teams, who can veto the entry. FOM and some teams have previously expressed opposition to an expansion of the grid citing commercial concerns and whether an additional team would add any value to the sport.
However, speaking before this weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix, Hamilton said an Andretti entry would be a positive step. “It’s an opportunity for more jobs, another two seats available for a potential female driver to come through. It opens up more possibilities and I think it’ll be exciting for the racing,” he said
The F1 chief executive, Stefano Domenicali, and several team chiefs have been clear they believe a 10-team grid is currently the optimum size. From a financial perspective there is concern that any additional entry may adversely affect teams’ income without necessarily improving the sport’s ability to generate revenue. Hamilton acknowledged his stance may be at odds with team owners.
“I’ve always felt that there wasn’t enough cars on the grid,” he said. “So, whilst there will definitely be people that won’t be happy for me to be so supportive of it, it’s great,”
Andretti’s team have enjoyed success in other series including four IndyCar championships, six wins at the Indy 500 and the 2023 drivers title in Formula E. Hamilton’s position was supported by the world champion, Max Verstappen, who can take his third title in Saturday’s sprint race at the Lusail circuit.
“Everything I’ve seen so far – plus I think the partners they have and the name – they have shown that they are a professional team,” he said. “So it would be nice because it gives more opportunities for the driver’s side.”
Verstappen requires just three more points to take the title. A sixth place or better on Saturday is enough to do it and if he does so he will be the first driver to secure the title in the relatively new sprint race format.
