Will there quickly be an eleventh crew in Formula 1 with Andretti-Cadillac? If former pilot Juan Pablo Montoya has his manner, the reply isn’t any. “I’d wish to see them on the grid, however I do not see it coming,” the Colombian informed Motorsport.com’s Dutch ballot. “Unless they purchase one other crew.
Michael Andretti has been aggressively making an attempt to get into Formula 1 for a few yr. But thus far, the American has taken among the wind. Although it introduced the most important US automotive producer, General Motors, with its Cadillac model a number of weeks in the past, the highway to firstclass appears very tough.
“It’s unlucky, nevertheless it’s exhausting to persuade everybody,” says Montoya. Because clearly the opposite groups are all concerning the cash. Although the rookie ought to deliver with him $200 million, which is split among the many different groups, it isn’t sufficient for a lot of: they worry that the additional crew will price cash, as a result of the prize cash can be divided additional.
“You understand how the groups are and the sport,” he says. That’s why Montoya Andretti Audi would advocate the way in which it’s now. The producer introduced yesterday that it had purchased a minority stake in Sauber forward of its bid to enter Formula 1 as its personal crew in 2026.
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“If you need to be in Formula 1 lengthy-time period, you should buy 30 or 40 p.c of Alpine with the choice to purchase one other 40 or 20 p.c after two years. Then you may handle the crew and you are able to do no matter you need,” – mentioned the ex-pilot.
He doesn’t see the Formula 1 discipline increasing. Montoya lacks added worth: “What’s the purpose? If you watch a Formula 1 race, half the vehicles aren’t going to indicate anyway,” he says. “Let’s say you are McLaren, Aston Martin or Alpine. When a brand new crew comes in, your TV time is even much less.”
In his view, midfield groups are beneath-represented anyway, and if they’re joined by one other competitor, they may lose extra TV time. “Then should you promote your self to a sponsor, you may get 10 p.c much less publicity for a similar cash. And on the finish of the yr, you may have much less TV cash. So why would you say sure?”
“Formula 1 is a enterprise”
Montoya understands the crew’s strategy: “Formula 1 is a enterprise,” he is aware of. “Everyone right here is making an attempt to earn cash. And everyone seems to be right here to do their job – from drivers to engineers to crew principals. So why do you suppose extra vehicles are higher?”
“Was it okay to have 24 vehicles on the road?” he asks. The final time was in 2012 earlier than HRT collapsed after three years in first grade. At the time, the crew was considered one of three racing groups allowed to enter Formula 1 in 2010, none of which supplied a lot added worth – not less than that is the frequent notion.
“It did not work as a result of they did not have the cash,” says Montoya. Andretti, alternatively, will need to have enough funds and in addition pay a big entry charge. “But if they’ve that a lot cash, why would not one other crew purchase?”
Andretti tried this with Sauber, however in the top couldn’t come to an settlement with the homeowners. Since then, Michael Andretti has tried to construct his personal crew, however thus far he has not been satisfied, even Montoya mentioned, “Yes, Andretti is a really huge title in the United States, however how many individuals actually know Andretti. In Europe?”
Montoya’s concept for youth
But, after all, there are arguments in favor of increasing the sector. For instance, extra vehicles on the grid would give Formula 1 entry to extra drivers and in addition give youthful drivers an opportunity.
Formula 1 took a step in this path final yr, setting two obligatory duties for brand new gamers in every crew. However, this solely applies to the free expertise. Montoya took the thought and expanded it to permit extra riders.
“Teams can use a 3rd automotive for half of the race. Or you may depend on 22 vehicles each week. Each crew has to make use of a junior driver for 2 races,” he says. “You title a driver firstly of the yr after which they need to drive two races. It provides them an opportunity to develop and get racing expertise.”
The groups nonetheless have a base, he says. “And the additional price will not eat the crew.”
In his view, this additionally opens up alternatives for methods. “If your automotive is nice, you may select to attain factors from another person as a result of the observe fits you. Let’s say Ferrari have the quickest automotive at Monza, they’ll deliver a 3rd automotive there and provides the younger drivers an opportunity. .”