MARK GALLAGHER @_markgallagher PICTURES
HOW TO SOLVE THE NEW-TEAM RANCOUR
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali cannot have been hugely thankful when FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem announced in early October that the sport’s governing body had approved Andretti Formula Racing’s entry application, thus handing the poisoned chalice to Formula 1 in order to discuss commercial terms. A toxic game of pass the parcel.
As is always the case, the FIA had followed a process. These processes are always described as ‘strict’ or ‘stringent’, yet the last time the FIA followed its own path to determine the viability of new F1 teams things really didn’t work out.
As the person at Cosworth responsible for supplying engines to USF1, Campos Meta, Manor Grand Prix and Lotus Racing in 2010, it soon became apparent to me that one of them had no clue, another had a wonderful dream without sufficient backing, and the final pair had money but underestimated both the scale and relentless nature of the challenge.
All are now a distant memory, not because there
is anything wrong with having a dream, but because Formula 1 did not offer a business model that stood any realistic chance of survival. All of them became a nightmare, particularly for unpaid suppliers.
That was then, of course, and this is now. As we reach the end of 2023 Formula 1 is in rude health financially, the 10 teams operate profitable franchises in all but name, and those who possess a bit of business acumen have potential sponsors climbing all over them.
The groundswell of opinion among fans on social media and certain specialist press is that it is inconceivable for an entry from Andretti to be even questioned. Equally, that the existing teams are led by nasty, greedy gatekeepers who don’t want anyone else invited to their party.
The teams have a point, however, and it is one Formula 1 supports. Considering that half of them courted existential challenges in recent times, specifically Williams, Sauber, Haas and the teams no
