F1 News: Martin Brundle's Bold Andretti Prediction - "Head To Head Between F1 And FIA"

The governing body and FOM could lock horns over the eleventh team in Formula 1.

Former driver and Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle suggested that the FIA and Formula 1 could lock horns after the FOM rejected Andretti Cadillac's application to enter the Formula 1 grid in 2025.

The governing body approved the American team's entry into the sport last year, despite there being significant opposition from several team principals and the FOM. Thus, the ball was in Formula 1's court to assess the new team's application based on the value it brings to the sport. 

Unsurprisingly, F1 rejected the entry of the new team into the sport, stating that Andretti Cadillac wouldn't bring enough value to the sport, nor would it be competitive enough to race against the other teams. 

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Leaving aside Andretti's comments on the rejection, Brundle is of the opinion that the governing body and F1 could come head-to-head over the matter. Recent events in the sport have already suggested the existence of a certain amount of friction between the two parties, which could get worse in the coming days. Speaking to Sky F1, Brundle said:

“This does put the FIA, the regulator, head to head with F1 management and Liberty Media - the financial rights holders because the FIA said yes, F1 have said no to what they often refer to in that document that has just come out as an 11th team rather than Andretti.

“This is a bigger picture of a head to head now between F1 and the FIA as to who is really running this show . I think the commercial rights holders have a big sway in that.

“Of course they can squeeze another team into the pit lane pretty much everywhere we go. There’s also some hospitality in the pit lane but teams don’t want to share their money out 11 ways instead of 10 and nor do F1. So as ever, money is a big part of this as well.

“Could we get 11 teams in there if we really wanted to? Yes of course we could.”

Expressing his personal views, the former driver revealed that he would prefer to witness the addition of more teams in Formula 1. He added:

“As an F1 fan, as a commentator, I would love there to be an 11th team, and indeed a 12th team on the grid, not least because drivers like Verstappen, Leclerc, Lando Norris and George Russell at Mercedes have signed up for a very long time to stay in the same teams.

“The calendar is fairly mature these days going forward. It will be quite exciting to see that.”

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