In a decision that has sparked controversy and debate throughout the motorsport world, Andretti Cadillac Racing’s ambitious bid to join the Formula One grid has been officially rejected by Formula One’s governing body.
This decision has not only disappointed many fans and stakeholders, but has also highlighted a growing rift between Formula One Management (FOM) and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), pointing to a deeper conflict within the sport’s governing body.
History repeats
Formula One, the pinnacle of motorsport, has witnessed not only on-track battles but also significant off-track ‘civil wars’. These conflicts have shaped the sport, influencing its regulations, governance and the very fabric of competition. These conflicts are important and must be taken note of as they herald the biggest turning points of the sport as an entity.
One of the most notable of these internal conflicts was the FOCA vs. FISA war, which highlighted the power struggles and battle for control within Formula One.
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FOCA vs. FISA: The classic showdown
The late 1970s and early 1980s were marked by a bitter struggle known as the FOCA (Formula One Constructors Association) vs. FISA (Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile) war. This conflict pitted the team-based FOCA, led by Bernie Ecclestone and Max Mosley, against FISA, the sport’s governing body, headed by Jean-Marie Balestre. At the heart of the dispute were issues of governance, financial distribution and technical regulations.
The Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile (FISA) once stood as the governing authority for international motorsport, overseeing various disciplines including Formula One, rallying, and sportscar racing, among others. This body traced its roots back to 1922 as an offshoot of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), itself established in 1904 to tackle a range of automotive issues, including the burgeoning field of racing.
A significant restructuring of the FIA in 1993 resulted in FISA being dissolved, with its responsibilities and oversight of motor racing reverting directly to the FIA.
History: The big battle
FOCA represented the interests of the teams and pushed for more control over the commercial aspects of the sport, including television rights and prize money distribution. FISA, on the other hand, wanted to maintain its authority over the sporting and technical regulations, ensuring that the governing body retained control over the direction of F1.
The conflict escalated to the point where teams boycotted races, most notably the 1982 San Marino Grand Prix, where only 14 cars started the race.
The resolution of this power struggle came with the Concorde Agreement, a series of contracts that outlined the commercial and governance structure of Formula One, balancing the power between the teams, FOM (Formula One Management) and the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile).
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History repeating: FOM vs. FIA
The spirit of internal conflict within Formula One is not confined to the past. A recent example is the attempt by the Andretti Cadillac Racing team to enter the Formula One grid. Despite passing the initial stages of the application process and receiving the green light from the governing body, the FIA, their entry was ultimately rejected by FOM (Formula One Management) and Liberty Media, the sport’s commercial rights holders.
This decision, as former F1 driver and commentator Martin Brundle has noted, puts FOM and the FIA at loggerheads and illustrates the ongoing tension between the sport’s governing and commercial bodies.
The evolution of F1’s internal dynamics
These ‘civil wars’ within Formula One reflect the sport’s complex ecosystem at the intersection of governance, commercial interests and sporting competition. Each conflict, from FOCA vs. FISA to the more recent FOM vs. FIA tensions, has led to changes in the way the sport is managed and governed.
They underscore the delicate balance between maintaining competitive integrity, ensuring financial viability and determining the future direction of the sport.
The Andretti ambition thwarted
The most recent bust up has been sparked by Andretti Cadillac Racing, an American outfit with ambitions to enter Formula One for the 2025 or 2026 seasons, appeared to be on track after passing the initial stages of the application process. This included receiving provisional approval from the FIA, the sport’s governing body.
However, their hopes were dashed when FOM, under the umbrella of Liberty Media, concluded its review by highlighting several shortcomings in Andretti’s application. The criticism focused on the perceived lack of value and competitiveness the new entrant would bring to the grid, although it left a glimmer of hope for a possible entry from 2028.
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FOM vs. FIA: A growing gulf
The rejection of Andretti Cadillac Racing’s application has underlined an emerging conflict between the FOM and the FIA. Martin Brundle, the former F1 driver and current Sky Sports TV commentator, has described the situation as putting the two bodies “at loggerheads”. The disagreement stems from differing views on the expansion of the F1 grid and the criteria for new entrants.
While the FIA seemed open to Andretti’s entry, the FOM’s commercial considerations led to a different conclusion, highlighting the complex interplay between sporting and commercial interests in Formula One.
The context of Formula One’s surge in popularity
Formula 1 has experienced a significant surge in popularity, particularly in the United States, which has been boosted by the financial regulations introduced in 2021 to ensure the sustainability of teams. This resurgence has seen circuits around the world sell out and the value of F1’s commercial rights soar.
Brundle’s comments, “This is peak F1, we’re in it now”, encapsulate the sentiment that F1, at its current zenith, must carefully consider the implications of expanding the grid. Having invested heavily over the years to bring the sport to its current status, the teams are protective of those gains and wary of diluting the competitive and commercial landscape with new entrants.
“This is peak F1 we’re in here and the teams no doubt will be saying – and others – hang on a minute many of us have poured billions into our team to get Formula 1 where it is now,” explained Brundle.
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The debate over expansion and value
At the heart of the debate surrounding Andretti Cadillac Racing’s rejected application is the question of what constitutes sufficient value and competitiveness for new teams wishing to join Formula One. FOM’s stance, as interpreted by Brundle, suggests that the bar for entry is set high in recognition of the contributions and investments made by existing teams.
This decision reflects a wider question facing Formula One: how can the sport expand and embrace new teams and markets while maintaining the high standards of competition and commercial success that have defined its recent resurgence?
“There’s demand all over the world for races. Grandstands are sold out, you can’t just come and join our club now when everything’s going so well you’re going to have to show us what you can bring to the table.” says Brundle,
“F1 have clearly said ‘you’re not bringing enough to make it warrant an extra team on the grid’.”
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Looking forward
The rejection of Andretti Cadillac Racing’s application opens a new chapter in the ongoing story of Formula One’s internal governance and its vision for the future. As the sport navigates the delicate balance between expansion and exclusivity, the dialogue between the FOM and the FIA, as well as between the teams and the wider Formula One community, will be crucial in shaping the direction of Formula One.
With the door still ajar for Andretti from 2028, the coming years will be crucial in determining whether new entrants can indeed add value to the pinnacle of motorsport.
What this situation has heralded, is the potential start of another huge civil war in Formula 1.
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I’m fascinated to know at which Concorde Agreement the monies paid out to the teams was changed.
Years ago, you had 26 cars on the grid except for Monaco, for which only the top 20 qualifiers would start.
Throughout the years, FOM would only pay monies to the top 10 teams, newcomers like Jordan in 1991 wouldn’t qualify for rewards for 2 years irrespective of how successful they’d been.
It wasn’t fair, for obvious reasons, but the landscape was understood. And many teams came and went. What raised the level also was the 107% rule, where the slowest car had to qualify within 107% of the time of the pole car.
I’d advocate putting these rules back into the sport. The teams would still have their share of the 10 team pot and entrants like Haas couldn’t simply participate, there’d be real jeopardy if they remained 11th or 12th overall.
Well put, and def remember those days, the prob is the shortsightedness they just got youe to getting money even if on the bottom of table
I think it might be time for Roger Penske and one or two others to start a new racing league with out the SNOBBERY and ARROGANCE of F1 and ticket prices that regular Nascar fans can afford.
I’m sorry, but who is looking after the fan interest? I’m sure if you were to run a poll the majority of the fans would pref 1, 2, 3, or even 4 or more teams in the grid but i understand infostructure is most of the classic circuits is for 12 teams, and well the new tract that are set up for10 teams I say too bad, get it together the regulations when you built these tracks for 10 team, so it was stupidity that you would not build for what the legislation allows for.
I for one is looking forward to Cadillac joining as that is GM umbrella, and lets face what better “Value” would that bring? not to mention the extra sponsors it would bring to the table.
I’ll be honest I have been a Holden fan (Australian V8’s) for as long as I can remember, and as far as I concerned Holdens blood runs in the veins of GM (sum would say the revers).
So as most Aussies in the V8 racing world I think it fair to say your a Holden Fan or a ford one, as you can prob guess I’m Def a Holden fan. (and i strongly disagree with GM for shutting down Holden, but that is a whole different discussion.)
I have also been a big fan of Sir Williams, but lets face it, Williams is now only Williams by name (again for another day) and I am Ready to Jump ship to Andretti Cadillac.
Now Red Bull for some unknows Silly reason has turned to ford 🙁 So I for one look forward to Andretti to battle Red Bull (mine and possibly other fans (I’m sure of it) private ford / Holden (GM) battle on the track.
All I have heard from FOM, Team Principles etc talk about is what Value will the bring and loss of the money pot (even though teams lie RedBull get enough sponsor money to cover costs (as per article last year) but no interest as to what the fans actually want! Many fans (and I would say the majority) would like to see more teams, I for one remember the “full” grid.
So I cant see or understand how bringing in a new engine manufacture along with more sponsors is not adding Value!
I would almost guarantee if Andretti said he would pay this $600,000 all would go ahead or if the were not to be in it for the prize money (that wouldn’t be fare if the end up being mid field or above.)
Andretti is not a guy that doesn’t understand what racing is and what is required, not just an investor looking to make a profit and sell it off. He is already in the Jr formulas, although slitly different but all same in many ways.
So I Would Call for ALL team Owners, Principle and FOM Liberty to stop and listen to what fans want, the people that pay there hard earned money to watch/support/travel etc would want, Who knows, They may actually be wrong in their stance and actually get a more successful branding/money and racing… who knows.
I’ll finish up on this thought…
A truck was driving along and slowed down to pass under a low clearance bridge that he thought he would just fit under. Sadly he was mistaken and got stuck blocking the traffic in both ways. the police came and call for construction engineers and all experts trying to work how to get the truck out without damaging the bridge. The were all scratching their heads when a boy came along to see what was happening. and he said, sure, why do you not just let the air out of the tyers and lower the truck. they all looked this boy shocked, the let the tyers out and the truck went through not causing any damaged and cleared the road…
maybe the fans are the little boy.
Speaking as a long time fan from the U.S, many of us had hoped to have a “home team” in Haas when they first entered the sport. We all know how well that turned out! They are as American as Russian vodka is! So with Andretti, we U.S race fans finally saw a true “home team” on the horizon. One that could potentially compete with top teams. And after hearing how big of a deal gaining American fans was to F1 I thought it was a no brainer! Then Andretti announced they would be building everything in house except the engines. Not a parts bin team running what the others ran the year before. A real team manufacturing their own parts in house! And last but definitely no least they signed with Cadillac! A multi billion dollar company! And I thought, this is as good as done now! Andretti has jumped thru all the hoops and has managed to bring an actual U.S team who could seriously compete at the front! But no, it was to good to be true…When F1 spoke of wanting to enter the U.S, turns out they only meant to take our money and fly home. Not to let us compete. Because a team like Andretti (the actual reason given) does not bring value to the sport of F1. Now shut up and go buy tickets to the Miami GP!