F1 teams want £472m rule included in 2026 Concorde Agreement which would be bad news for Andretti

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Andretti are desperate to be on the F1 grid as soon as possible, but a change to the next Concorde Agreement could make things much more difficult.

The current ten teams on the grid are very cautious about Andretti becoming the 11^th manufacturer on the paddock despite the FIA giving their bid the green light last year.

However, a report from The Athletic suggests what’s already been a complicated and convoluted process could become even more difficult.

The excitement around Formula 1 in America is reaching its highest point in decades.

Drive to Survive on Netflix has given millions of people access to the sport for the very first time and created a new generation of fans.

Not only that, but Liberty Media have done their best to expand the sport in the USA.

The United States Grand Prix held at the Circuit of the Americas has been joined on the calendar by races in Miami and Las Vegas.

The event in Sin City was a particular highlight in 2023 unless you’re Carlos Sainz.

However, American fans only have Haas and Logan Sargeant to cheer for right now.

Andretti joining F1 would be brilliant for the sport on the other side of the Atlantic, but a potential change to the Concorde Agreement in 2026 might be disastrous for them.

They’ve already hired plenty of staff, have a power unit supplier lined up and are already considering drivers.

Sadly, unless they receive agreement from Formula One Management that they can join the grid, they’ll be left in limbo for the foreseeable future.

2026 F1 Concorde Agreement could spell bad news for Andretti

The report from The Athletic suggests that the decision to offer Andretti a spot on the Formula 1 grid might have ‘far-reaching ramifications’ for the sport.

That also relates to the upcoming negotiation of the next Concorde Agreement which would come into effect in 2026.

Currently, any new team entering Formula 1 has to pay a £157m [$200m] dilution fee to the other manufacturers.

However, F1 teams want to triple that fee to £473m when the 2026 Concorde Agreement comes into force which could spell bad news for Andretti.

Andretti want to compete as soon as they enter Formula 1 and are already a very established racing team.

Entering F1 is already a huge financial commitment and the fee may need to be revised given the increased commercial interest in the sport.

But tripling that already large figure sends a clear message to Andretti that the 10 teams currently on the grid aren’t particularly keen on their involvement.