For several months, Michael Andretti expressed his wish to engage in F1 via Andretti Global, a new subsidiary created for the occasion. Initial plans involved a 2024 debut, but the team is running up against the will of the ten teams in place to protect the distribution of TV rights as it currently stands.
Thus, it will soon exceed the deadline for launching its operations for a start in 2024. Andretti would like to arrive in Formula 1 before the new regulations scheduled for 2026.
« We are not waiting for the final version of the 2026 regulations. We want to start earlier. But for the 2024 plan, things are getting tighter. Yes, the deadline is very close » said Jean-François Thormann, COO of Andretti Autosport.
The idea was to have a Renault engine and to enter Colton Herta, as well as his sponsor Gainbridge, but everything is still open at this stage of the discussions: « We’ll see who is the best fit. An American would be fine, but it’s not mandatory. We basically talk to all possible partners. »
Andretti plans to build a factory in Europe if the project is accepted by Formula 1 and its current players: « Our current Formula E factory would not be sufficient for an F1 programme. »
