Formula One set to welcome Andretti entry as newest addition to grid

Formula One is set for a shake-up, with an Australian-linked team set to enter the series for the first time in 46 years.

Formula One is set to welcome its newest team, with the FIA giving Andretti Formula Racing the green light to become the sport’s 11th team after putting forward its application for the third and final selection phase.

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It was the only one of four applicants to pass the FIA’s review process, but its place on the grid remains subject to it striking a commercial agreement with F1 rights holder Liberty Media.

“We note the FIA’s conclusions in relation to the first and second phases of their process and will now conduct our own assessment of the merits of the remaining application,” said F1 in a statement.

Motorsport’s governing body the FIA in January opened up a process for prospective new entrants to join the championship starting in 2025 or 2026.

Most of the existing teams have been against expansion, with new year’s calendar set to feature a record 24 races.

McLaren’s Zak Brown (left) alongside Michael Andretti at Bathurst in 2019. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

The Andretti bid is being headed by Michael Andretti, a former F1 driver and son of Mario Andretti, F1 world champion in 1978.

Andretti Global revved up its bid to join F1 earlier this year when it announced a partnership with General Motors to provide Cadillac engines for the proposed team.

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said that any approval for a new team would need to bring added value to the business.

“As we always said, we need to make sure that the decision is right for the business,” Domenicali said before the summer break.

“And this is what I think is the duty of the FIA and us together, that has to be taken. So that is another decision that will be taken in the next couple of months.”

Andretti Racing has entries in a number of series, including the Australian Supercars Championship as part of a joint entry with United Autosport, co-founded by McLaren boss Zak Brown.

Nick Percat and Chaz Mostert drive Ford Mustangs for the team in the Supercars Championship, while former Formula One star Romain Grosjean drives for the team in the American IndyCar series.

The last (and to date only) Australian team to enter Formula One was McGuire, who entered one car in the 1977 British Grand Prix, and failed to get out of pre-qualification.

– with AFP