Rodin boss now says it’s a ‘no-brainer’ to add 11th team to Formula 1 grid

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Rodin Cars boss David Dicker has said it’s a ‘no-brainer’ allowing Andretti Formula Racing to the F1 grid.

Dicker was speaking to the Mirror after seeing his Rodin team’s bid rejected by the FIA.

Out of all of the teams trying to enter Formula 1, Michael Andretti’s team, in partnership with Cadillac, was the only one allowed to advance to the next round.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said after making the decision that “Andretti Formula Racing LLC was the only entity which fulfils the selection criteria that was set in all material respects.”

Rodin, Formula Eagle and Pantera Team Asia were already ruled out of the running at an earlier stage of the process.

It’s hard to argue that having more teams on the F1 grid wouldn’t be more exciting.

Red Bull Racing have been in a league of their own this year, meaning the race to be the best of the rest has been the most interesting part of the season.

Adding another team to the mix to try and compete in that pack is only going to create more overtaking and competition.

Dicket believes that F1 would be mad not to accept Andretti into the sport and thinks there’s a very good chance they will do so.

With Formula 1 attempting to attract a larger audience in the USA, another American team on the grid will certainly create more interest.

Dicker backs Andretti to enter F1

Asked about the American team’s entry, Dicker said: “I don’t think there’s any chance in a million years that Andretti is not going to get in.

“I would pretty much bet everything I own! If the Formula 1 guys turn them down… I just couldn’t imagine it.

“To be honest, the Formula 1 Management guys should be making the decision and it should have nothing to do with the teams.

“I can’t imagine the commercial side of the F1 guys turning [Andretti] down, because where’s the negative? More teams are always going to make it more interesting, it’s just as simple as that. It’s such a no-brainer.

“There are very few people in the public who think 10 teams is enough and we can’t have any more. How many of the teams think that?

“I’ll be amazed if Andretti don’t get in. Traditionally, it’s always been 26 cars and the only reason why they went down to 10 teams was because they brought in four new teams back in 2010 and those teams couldn’t survive. There’s no magic about [having] 10 teams.”

Dicker’s point about F1 needing more teams should certainly work in Andretti’s favour.

The 2016 season was the last time Formula 1 had more than 10 teams on the grid before Manor dropped out of the sport.

Whatever level Andretti entered F1 they would be adding to the competition.

However, the current teams may be unwilling to share the prize pot with another manufacturer which could scupper Andretti’s chance of competing.

He may have to go to his backup plan, which is to buy a team already on the grid.