OCTOBER 13, 2023

Renault now obstacle to Andretti green-light

Renault-linked Alpine may have emerged as an obstacle to Andretti-Cadillac joining Formula 1.

Although Cadillac is owned by General Motors, Andretti's plan to enter the sport as early as 2025 is dependent on a rebadged customer engine.

But Alpine boss Bruno Famin this week said the Renault engine deal agreed with Andretti earlier this year has now expired, with talks only to resume if Liberty-owned Formula One Management green-lights the American outfit.

In principle, we have nothing against an eleventh team if it turns out that it increases the value of the sport, Famin is now quoted by Auto Motor und Sport.

But it is not our job to judge that. We follow the regulations, regardless of whether they are the sporting regulations or the Concorde Agreement.

Auto Motor und Sport believes FOM saying 'yes' to Andretti depends in part on the team having an engine deal in place.

And Alpine no longer sounds keen on adding an engine customer to its roster at all.

The priorities have shifted, interim team boss Famin explains. Our first priority is to develop the best possible engine for 2026.

Some might therefore see Alpine as a key obstacle to Andretti being approved to race in Formula 1 - as per the wishes of Liberty and the bulk of the existing ten teams.

It opens up the spectre of potential legal action instigated by Andretti, linked perhaps to European Union anti-competitive directives.

Andretti won't go to court, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is quoted by Speed Week.

Nobody wants a legal dispute and nobody here is talking about it. A story like that might sound exciting to certain media, but why should we involve a judge?

We will resolve this in constructive discussions, he added. But I see no reason to rush.

I am in no position to pressure the FOM or tell them what to do, said the FIA president.

The Andretti camp is being very quiet about the matter at the moment, but Michael Andretti's famous father Mario is quoted by Ouest France newspaper as sounding hopeful.

I am obviously very proud of Michael's ambitions to compete in Formula 1 with a team. So far, I think we have reason to be optimistic, said the 1978 world champion.
(GMM)