F1: May 15th deadline looms for Andretti Global’s F1 Application (Update)

–by Mark Cipolloni–

With the shift of the proposal deadline for interested teams to apply to enter F1 to May 15th, comes word that the FIA has pushed back the deadline for them to make a decision from June 30th to July 15th.

Existing teams hope it keeps getting pushed back later and later, so no team can be on the grid before 2026 when the new Concorde Agreement will come into play and the anti-dilution payment to enter F1 will increase far above the current amount of $200 million.

Is the European Union anti-competition review committee aware of these tactics?

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Michael Andretti was in a good mood after the Long Beach GP Sunday after his cars finished 1st, 2nd and 4th in the 48th running of the famous IndyCar race.

Our Lucille Dust caught up with Andretti after the race to congratulate him and get an update on his F1 application.

He told AutoRacing1.com that they are still working on their final proposal that is now due May 15th – pushed back two weeks from the original April 30th deadline the FIA published.

He expressed some confidence that he would eventually be awarded one of the two open team slots and he is fully prepared to pay the $200 million anti-dilution fee required by the current Concorde Agreement and the FIA. The current contract limits the F1 grid to 12 teams (24 cars), up from the current 10 teams.

The FIA has asked for applications to include a detailed business plan for the first five years, proof of sustainability and how the team intended to “achieve a positive societal impact through its participation in the sport.”

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Also at Long Beach this weekend was Zak Brown, the McLaren F1 and Arrow McLaren IndyCar team boss, who met with reporters.

Brown said Friday that F1 paddock speculation is that some of the applicants aren’t viable options.

He told The Associated Press that teams expect a full update at an FIA Commission meeting scheduled for April 26: “What’s come to light is that three or four teams are going to put forth entries. I’d love to see the grid expand with the right terms and conditions. We know I’m a supporter of Michael and Cadillac and I think they’d be healthy for the sport. I’m probably in the minority in that thinking.”

Brown told reporters that the existing F1 teams have conflicting views on expanding the grid, but stressed that at the end of the process, “The teams don’t have a voice. I don’t think everyone fully understands the governance of Formula 1. At the end of the day, the teams have no vote on this particular matter.”