The Formula 1 community is buzzing with disbelief and criticism following Liberty Media’s decision to reject Andretti-Cadillac’s entry into the pinnacle of motorsport. Despite receiving the nod from the FIA, Michael Andretti’s ambitious project to bring a new team into F1 has hit a wall, with F1’s management citing concerns over competitiveness and an added operational burden. However, they left the door ajar for a potential entry in 2028, should Cadillac develop a competitive F1 engine.
Andretti-Cadillac, having already assembled a 120-person team and showcased a wind tunnel model, expressed strong disagreement with F1’s verdict. Racing legend Mario Andretti, Michael’s father, conveyed his deep disappointment on social media, stating, “I’m devastated. I won’t say anything else because I can’t find any other words besides devastated.”
The decision has sparked widespread criticism within the F1 community. Russian commentator Alexey Popov challenged the logic behind F1’s rejection, questioning, “The press release said that if they had a GM engine already, they’d be accepted. Well, sorry, but Brawn, Red Bull – did they immediately have their own engines?” He highlighted the history of successful teams like Jordan, BAR, and Stewart, implying that their initial absence would have left a significant void in F1’s landscape.
Michael Schmidt, a renowned journalist from Auto Motor und Sport, sensed personal resentments played a role in the decision. He criticized the rejection as potentially harmful to F1’s future, stating, “By rejecting the application, Formula 1 has also slammed the door on itself.” Schmidt questioned F1’s argument that Andretti-Cadillac wouldn’t be competitive, pointing out that even established teams struggle to achieve podiums.
