F1 News: FIA President Gives Hope To Andretti Autosport - "How On Earth Can We Refuse GM?"

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has given hope to Andretti Autosport in their quest to join the F1 grid.

In a recent interview, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem championed the potential entry of the Andretti-Cadillac team, backed by General Motors (GM), into the world of Formula 1. 

Following the closure of the formal application process for prospective teams last week, the sport now faces the task of selecting which, if any, applicants will be given the green light.

Michael Andretti, who has long aspired to join F1, saw his dreams inch closer to reality with the announcement of a partnership between his team and Cadillac, GM's subsidiary. Despite a lukewarm reception to the Andretti-Cadillac bid from existing F1 teams, Ben Sulayem highlighted the potential benefit of allowing such a prominent entity into the sport.

He stated to The Associated Press:

"People have to understand we are here to promote motorsport and we are here to be fair.

"The Expressions of Interest process is very robust and there is no circumstance where we can deny any teams if they fulfil the criteria to enter."

Expressing the difficulty of potentially rejecting GM, he added:

"Imagine me saying no to someone like GM? We have in the regulations that we can go up to twelve teams. I'm not breaking rules.

"But do we allow anyone to enter? No. But how on earth can we refuse GM? I mean, where's the common sense in this? GM is a heavyweight and when they come with Andretti, that's good for all of us.

"I don't blame some of the teams for being reluctant, or refusing or rejecting, let's say, because people want to sit within their own area, which means that there is no one new coming that will even challenge them. Challenge them with maybe the performance or the financial benefits. But we believe that the conditions are right for new entrants for F1."

Although no official announcements have been made regarding any new teams, it seems that it is looking fairly position for Andretti Autosport.

Michael Andretti has already confirmed that they have started building the team so they can be ready to go if they are approved. If successful, they aim to join the Formula One grid in 2025 or 2026.