NASCAR: Mario Andretti talks about son's F1 application at Darlington

–Mark Cipolloni–

83-year-old Mario Andretti, who still looks 63, visited the Darlington Raceway media Center Friday as he was in town to see the #2 Nick Sanchez truck running his 1967 Daytona 500 throwback livery race.

Nick Sanchez, driver of the #2 Gainbridge Chevrolet, and Mario Andretti (R) pose for a photo on the grid prior to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Buckle Up South Carolina 200 at Darlington Raceway on May 12, 2023 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Inevitably, the media asked Andretti for an update on his son’s F1 team application.

“It’s going. It’s going,” Andretti said.

When asked if it was going to be approved, he replied, “It better.”

“Let’s face it, as international as Formula 1 is to have a truly, solid American team and manufacturer, it’s got to be good for them,” the elder Andretti said.

“I know Gene Haas has a team and he never planned on having an American driver. Michael has committed to having at least one American driver always. Also, there is no official team that is fielding Formula 3 or Formula 2 and Michael has committed to having a Formula 3 and a Formula 2 team to give some American driver the opportunity to go to Europe and pursue Formula 1.

“So, there are a lot of things in play here. It’s a huge commitment for a long term.

“They’re adding more and more races to the schedule in Formula 1, and they’re crossing continents, (and) it’s putting a big load on all the teams,” Mario Andretti said. “To have 22 or 24 cars on the grid rather than 20, I think it’s almost some insurance.”

American interest in F1 is increasing.

“The USA has three F1 races, No other country on the planet has that,” Andretti said.

Andretti not waiting for the FIA

Speaking to Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle on the grid at the Miami Grand Prix last weekend, Andretti confirmed his prospective team are continuing to target a 2025 entry.

“That’s our goal,” Andretti said. “We’re working on it. We have that process that we’re in the middle of with the FIA.

“Submitting our paperwork this week and hopefully get an answer middle of July, so we’re making good progress.”

Responding to Brundle’s assessment that a 2025 entry would leave the team with “a lot of work to do in a hurry”, Andretti responded: “We’re already doing it. It’s already happening, we’re building a team as we speak.

“It would be awesome (to have the Andretti name back in F1). That and Cadillac would be awesome.”

Must Bring Value

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 at the Australian Grand Prix in April, F1 President Stefano Domenicali said: “Some people would like to be very vocal, some others are less vocal.

“The fact that F1 is attracting new potential teams and investors shows the status of F1 today. There is a process in place that is open, everyone can apply, the first step is that the FIA will make an analysis and the second will be done by the commercial [rights holders] – there will be a joint discussion. We will see what will be the outcome of it.

“It’s not about opposition (to more than 10 teams). It’s not a problem, it’s great stuff if it is bringing value to the championship in the medium to long term. That is the point that is always raised when we talk about this subject.”