A number of events, together with American powerhouse Andretti, have lodged their curiosity in becoming a member of the F1 grid as an eleventh crew, with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem eager on increasing the present grid of 10 groups.
Ben Sulayem says it’s the FIA’s obligation to comply with the rules, which cater for as much as 12 groups, as he eyes producer involvement from the US and China.
“We now have a contract [with Formula 1] that claims we will have as much as 12 groups. We’re not breaking any guidelines; quite the opposite, we’re following the principles precisely;” Sulayem informed Autosport earlier this summer season.
However F1’s present 10 groups do not share his enthusiasm for brand new entrants as a consequence of having to share their income with extra events, in addition to citing issues in regards to the sequence’ stability and logistics, a stance which has been met with nice frustration by Michael Andretti.
The bar to be admitted into F1 has been elevated to such a level lately, because of the sequence’ recognition growth and its finances cap, that Steiner admits his Haas crew would not have been capable of be part of the grid now.
“No, it is not attainable,” Steiner informed Autosport in an unique interview. “The game has modified a lot. If you happen to begin as a privateer in the meanwhile, you would not be part of.”
Steiner says Volkswagen opting to purchase its approach into the Sauber outfit slightly than beginning afresh factors to how difficult it now could be to begin from a clear slate.
Oliver Hoffmann, Head of Technical Growth at Audi Sport GmbH, with Markus Duesmann, Chairman of the Board of Administration of Audi AG, with the brand new Audi Sport idea automotive
Photograph by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
“The Volkswagen Group, they’re fairly robust. They raced for a very long time, they received Le Mans I do not know what number of occasions. They know in regards to the sport once they determined to not make a brand new crew, they determined to purchase one.
“It is vitally troublesome now to place it up. And that is a danger as nicely. If you happen to get an eleventh crew and so they do not make it, what does that do to this sport? As a result of we at all times assume: ‘Oh, it is going to be for positive successful.’ It may very well be a failure as nicely.”
It has been mooted that F1’s $200m anti-dilution payment a brand new entrant must pay the opposite groups to make up for his or her lack of prize cash, must be no less than tripled to signify the added worth that an entry represents in F1’s present vendor’s market.
When requested what would make the distinction to persuade FOM to permit one other crew in, Steiner mentioned: “I do not even know what the distinction could be.
“Is there such an enormous upside that we’re all pleased to say sure? And it is going to be nonetheless troublesome logistically. If it occurs it is going to be very troublesome in lots of different issues, even when there’s an upside for everyone.
“Simply to make clear, the groups can not decide. We do not have a vote on this course of. That is FOM and the FIA who resolve what is going on there.
“We now have acquired 10 very robust groups in the meanwhile. We at all times want to return to what do you wish to danger for a bit little bit of an uplift than preserve it steady.
Guenther Steiner, Crew Principal, Haas F1 Crew, Christian Horner, Crew Principal, Crimson Bull Racing, within the Crew Prinicpal’s Press Convention
Photograph by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
“There isn’t any level in having seven groups which aren’t protected as a substitute of getting 10 very strong groups.
“I believe it is not all about cash. The ten groups which can be right here have invested some huge cash within the sport and took it the place it’s, so they need to have an upside now. It isn’t about Andretti, it is about 11 groups.”
When requested in regards to the skyrocketing worth of F1 groups, which has vindicated proprietor Gene Haas’ determination to stay with the crew by way of its perilous Wealthy Vitality and Uralkali days, Steiner mentioned:
“Who could not be pleased with what F1 has executed?
“Who may have seen 5 years in the past the place F1 could be in 5 years? Everyone would have signed up for half of this.
“We have been at all times in place however now we’re in an excellent place.
“What FOM and Stefano [Domenicali, F1 CEO] are doing… this sport is as in style because it by no means was earlier than. Having one in all 10 Components 1 groups in the meanwhile is an efficient place to be.”