The FIA has approved Andretti’s new team bid which means the American entry, working with Common Motors agency Cadillac, should now search approval from sequence rights holder FOM.
Nonetheless, there’s resistance from the ten incumbent groups who worry any destabilising impact {that a} new entry might need and oppose having to cut back their business revenue by 10%.
Williams crew principal Vowles has clarified that his squad is strongly in opposition to the enlargement of the grid till a time when all opponents are financially steady, which he says is a way off.
“My ideas are very clear. Williams is in opposition to the addition of an eleventh crew and really strongly in opposition to,” Vowles mentioned.
“My accountability is to 900 staff inside my firm. You’ll see that we’re [losing money].”
MORE: How the FIA went from seven F1 new team bids to Andretti
Based on just lately launched accounts listed on Corporations Home, Williams Grand Prix Engineering Restricted posted a post-tax lack of £17.9m for 2022.
Vowles continued: “The explanation why is we’re investing within the sport to turn into higher. We consider in the place the game goes, we consider within the route of journey of the game.
“The explanation why is we even have, I believe, a sustainable entity for as soon as. Groups are literally working increasingly collectively; we have now shut racing because of issues.
Andretti Cadillac brand
Photograph by: Andretti Autosport
“Nevertheless it must be identified that this isn’t simply us that aren’t financially steady. I’d say most likely half the grid aren’t.
“I believe the addition of an eleventh crew is a wise factor however solely on the level the place the tenth crew on the grid is financially steady.
“Everybody says we’re in an excellent place. We’re in some regards however now… a whole lot of hundreds of thousands [are] being invested to make the game higher.
“It turns into subsequently clear why we’re very cautious about diluting what we’ve already obtained as a result of it is simply extra losses on the desk.”
Regardless of this sturdy opposition to an additional crew, Vowles mentioned F1 ought to welcome an OEM like Common Motors with “open arms”.
He continued: “We’ve been clear from the start, more than pleased to herald new entities however the pie has to develop because of it, not shrink. To this point, it’s simply shrinking.
Michael Andretti, Workforce principal Andretti Autosport
Photograph by: Andreas Beil
“For readability on that, that’s not in opposition to both Andretti or GM. Fairly the alternative.
“I welcome GM open armed… and I hope to forge a relationship with them ought to issues not work out. They’re an unimaginable entity that I believe will make the game higher.”
Mercedes engine buyer Williams doesn’t have an influence unit provide agreed for 2026.
Requested by Autosport to make clear whether or not Williams is actively looking for any type of collaboration with Common Motors, Vowles replied: “No… My level is extra that an organisation, an OEM like GM, completely could be welcome in our sport.
“We might welcome them at this stage. However they’re clearly linked to Andretti – it’s not a query of that and we’re not in talks with them in the mean time.”
Extra reporting by Jonathan Noble