Formula 1 as a sport is growing exponentially year after year. It is reaching new places, new countries, and establishing a young fan base. However, despite all fans wanting it, Formula 1 and the teams have been reluctant to add an 11th team. Recently, Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll put forward his reasons for snubbing Andretti. Now, Williams Team Principal James Vowles and Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur have joined Aston Martin in the opposition.
“What is the added value for Formula 1?”
Ferrari’s Fred Vasseur was very pragmatic with his approach to the topic of Andretti joining Formula 1. He said that the sport is in a good place now. But it wasn’t the case a few years ago. The teams need to ensure their safety if things go south again.
“We have to keep in mind that 3-4 years ago, we had almost half the grid close to bankruptcy. We have to avoid arrogance, as life is a cycle and we don’t know what could happen before 2030.”
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The Ferrari boss also questioned the added value of Andretti in Formula 1 since they already have an American team and driver.
“I don’t have access to Andretti’s dossier but I think that is the first question: ‘What is the added value for F1?’ We already have a team that is American with Haas; we have an American driver on the grid…the question for me is around this: what could be the added value?”
Williams “Very Strongly Against”
Williams’ James Vowles made his stance pretty clear on Andretti entering Formula 1. He said many Formula 1 teams are still running in loss. And investors are still putting in money because they expect a return.
“We are lossy. We are incredibly lossy. Our accounts have been submitted, you can see them, we lost $20 million last year. You won’t see it for another year but for 2023 you are going to see that number goes up by multiples.”
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He also said that these new regulations in Formula 1 have brought teams like Williams closer.
“And here’s why: we are investing in the sport because we believe in the sport. I think for the first time in a long, long time the sport’s come closer together. We have teams fighting each other. Williams is part of, I’m not going to call it the midfield – we are not that good yet – but we are fighting for something. We want to continue that journey.”
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