Will there quickly be an eleventh workforce in Formula 1 with Andretti-Cadillac? If former pilot Juan Pablo Montoya has his approach, 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 workforce.
Michael Andretti has been aggressively making an attempt to get into Formula 1 for a couple of yr. But to date, the American has taken among the wind. Although it introduced the biggest US automobile producer, General Motors, with its Cadillac model a couple of weeks in the past, the highway to first-class appears very tough.
“It’s unlucky, nevertheless it’s laborious to persuade everybody,” says Montoya. Because clearly the opposite groups are all in regards to the cash. Although the rookie ought to carry with him $200 million, which is split among the many different groups, it’s not sufficient for a lot of: they worry that the additional workforce will value cash, as a result of the prize cash will likely be divided additional.
“You understand how the groups are and the sport,” he says. That’s why Montoya Andretti Audi would advocate the best way 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 workforce in 2026.
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“If you need to be in Formula 1 lengthy-time period, you should purchase 30 or 40 % of Alpine with the choice to purchase one other 40 or 20 % after two years. Then you possibly can handle the workforce and you are able to do no matter you need,” – stated the ex-pilot.
He doesn’t see the Formula 1 area increasing. Montoya lacks added worth: “What’s the purpose? If you watch a Formula 1 race, half the automobiles aren’t going to point out anyway,” he says. “Let’s say you are McLaren, Aston Martin or Alpine. When a brand new workforce comes in, your TV time is even much less.”
In his view, midfield groups are underneath-represented anyway, and if they’re joined by one other competitor, they’ll lose extra TV time. “Then when you promote your self to a sponsor, you may get 10 % 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 workforce’s method: “Formula 1 is a enterprise,” he is aware of. “Everyone right here is making an attempt to make cash. And everyone seems to be right here to do their job – from drivers to engineers to workforce principals. So why do you assume extra automobiles are higher?”
“Was it okay to have 24 automobiles 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 workforce was certainly one of three racing groups allowed to enter Formula 1 in 2010, none of which provided 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, however, 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 workforce purchase?”
Andretti tried this with Sauber, however in the tip couldn’t come to an settlement with the house owners. Since then, Michael Andretti has tried to construct his personal workforce, however to date he has not been satisfied, even Montoya stated, “Yes, Andretti is a really huge identify 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 sphere. For instance, extra automobiles 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 necessary duties for brand spanking new gamers in every workforce. However, this solely applies to the free expertise. Montoya took the concept and expanded it to permit extra riders.
“Teams can use a 3rd automobile for half of the race. Or you possibly can depend on 22 automobiles each week. Each workforce has to make use of a junior driver for 2 races,” he says. “You identify a driver in the beginning of the yr after which they need to drive two races. It offers them an opportunity to develop and get racing expertise.”
The groups nonetheless have a base, he says. “And the additional value will not eat the workforce.”
In his view, this additionally opens up alternatives for methods. “If your automobile is nice, you possibly can select to attain factors from another person as a result of the observe fits you. Let’s say Ferrari have the quickest automobile at Monza, they will carry a 3rd automobile there and provides the younger drivers an opportunity. .”