The American Andretti outfit is hoping to agree a industrial cope with FOM to enter F1 from 2025 on the earliest, after being given approval to join the series by the FIA.
However there is no such thing as a assure FOM will approve Andretti’s bid, because it questions whether or not or not there’s a tangible profit to grand prix racing in including an additional staff to the grid.
Rival groups are additionally towards the addition of Andretti as they worry the industrial impression that might come from having to share prize cash with an additional outfit.
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And, as Steiner factors out, whereas F1 goes via a growth interval proper now so a small lack of prize cash wouldn’t make a dramatic impression, he says classes needs to be taken on board from what occurred when COVID struck.
Particularly, he thinks the pace by which F1 went from being comfy to there being a threat of dropping virtually half the grid because the pandemic bit, highlights the warning that must be taken in adjusting the funds of the present groups.
“Within the present scenario, we’re secure, however it’s not like we’re making lots of of thousands and thousands of earnings,” mentioned Steiner. “We’re nonetheless attempting to get our budgets collectively to work on the price range cap and all that stuff.
“I wish to return to 2020 once I bear in mind sitting in these video conferences when the pandemic hit and 4 groups have been [questioning], ‘are we right here subsequent yr or not?’
Michael Andretti’s staff has been authorised by the FIA, however should now show its industrial worth to F1
Photograph by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
“We have been all struggling, attempting to maintain alive. And lots of people and quite a lot of staff homeowners put their cash into it to remain alive, and to make F1 what it’s now. I believe there may be worth to that as properly.”
He added: “ I believe many of the groups are asking why would we dilute what we’ve received, simply to get any individual else, when Method 1 is booming?
“As a result of who is aware of what in three or 4 years will [happen]. And I am going again, it is also solely in 2020 once we have been struggling to remain alive as Method 1, as a result of if 4 groups fall out, there are solely six left. And why would you make it weaker now?
“If one thing comes up once more, we have to be as sturdy as we will be, the ten groups that are right here, which received via the laborious occasions.”
Steiner stands by his long-standing opinion that Andretti’s entry ought to solely get authorised if there may be tangible proof its arrival will convey profit to the complete grid.
Requested in regards to the potential of Andretti to convey contemporary sponsor curiosity to F1, Steiner mentioned: “[There] could possibly be, however there’s quite a lot of might, ought to, would. But when they’ll present that they convey one thing which we settle for, then it is positive.”
Steiner insists he isn’t alone within the paddock in feeling that now just isn’t the proper time to be contemplating an Eleventh-team entry.
“FOM has to see it, not me, they have the massive image,” he mentioned. “It is not solely about Haas that does not need them. It is basic, Method 1 just isn’t satisfied that there’s a want for an Eleventh staff.
“Do not go down: ‘it is Andretti.’ Whoever [it is], F1 in the intervening time just isn’t satisfied an Eleventh staff is bringing added worth. Maintain it easy.”