Mario Andretti admits interest in buying F1 team if Cadillac-backed entry fails

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Mario Andretti has now admitted that Michael Andretti would be interested in buying one of the current 10 Formula One teams should their Cadillac-backed entry to F1 fail.

The Andretti family are still awaiting confirmation from the FIA and F1 over their proposal to enter the sport in 2025. But judgement day is now finally looming following the FIA starting its Expression of Interest process. A number of potential teams have lobbied to join the grid.

Andretti, the 1978 F1 World Champion, claims the FIA have informed all prospective bidders to expect its answers in September. Although the governing body did not stipulate a decisive timeline when starting its Expression of Interest process. It left those interested in the lurch.

Andretti could buy Alpine if their bid to enter F1 fails

Michael Andretti has long sought to get his family’s name on the F1 grid. But he fell short in 2022 after only convincing McLaren CEO Zak Brown and Alpine’s then-team principal Otmar Szafnauer. The other eight teams, plus Formula One itself, shut the door on Andretti’s entry.

Not to be deterred, Andretti have returned after securing big backing from General Motors through Cadillac. The American automobile manufacturer joined Andretti’s bid to enter F1 as a partner. Even though they face a $200m (£173m) anti-dilution fee to ever join the grid.

Another route to explore for Andretti Autosport to join the F1 grid would be for them to buy one of the existing 10 teams. Red Bull Motorsport advisor Helmut Marko even also recently suggested that Renault should now try to sell Alpine to Andretti to keep the grid at 20 cars.

Mario Andretti, who started 128 Grands Prix, is not opposed to his son Michael buying one of the current teams to enter F1. But the family already explored that route before the American racing team began exploring establishing their own team and getting backing from Cadillac.

“We’re obviously open to any opportunity,” Andretti told RacingNews365. “But a lot of it in that respect has been exhausted already, quite honestly, as far as buying another team.”

Mario Andretti expects the FIA and F1’s answer in early September

Andretti Autosport could always re-explore buying one of the current teams to join the grid if their F1 entry fails. Mario Andretti does not expect to wait much longer to find out, either.

The former Team Lotus and Scuderia Ferrari driver continued: “We’ve done it all and now it is in their hands and it is just a waiting situation now. But we should know something shortly. There is not a specific timeline but we have been told early September.

“Not only [is entering in the 2025 season] beneficial but it is a key factor. That is something that’s been put forward quite strongly and I think it makes sense. At first, [we wanted] 2024 but as the process dragged on, 2025 became more feasible.”