Formula 1 News: Door still open for Andretti to buy an existing team

In a press conference this past week in Bahrain, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner said the door is still open to the Andretti organization to buy its way into F1 via an existing team.

During Thursday’s Team Representative press conference during Bahrain testing, Horner gave his thoughts in response to FOM’s statement.

Press Conference .(L-R) Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, Bruno Famin, Team Principal, Alpine F1 Team, Laurent Mekies, Team Principal, RB F1 Team, Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Team Representative, Stake F1 Team, Christian Horner, Team Principal, Red Bull Racing

“Formula 1 made their position clear,” Horner told media.

“It doesn’t mean that Andretti can’t come. It just means that they can’t come as a new or 11th team.

“So the opportunity still exists for them to take over an existing franchise or team if they could reach commercial terms.”

Had Andretti’s entry been accepted, he would have had to run an Alpine customer engine deal until its Cadillac power unit was up and running in 2028.

Alpine Team Principal Bruno Famin has been asked about this topic on multiple occasions, but he continues to see the matter as closed following FOM’s decision.

“I think the decision belongs to Formula 1 to evaluate the situation, to assess the situation, to evaluate if an 11th team is able to bring sufficient value to the championship,” Famin said in Thursday’s press conference.

“This is their responsibility, this is their championship, and we just take note of their decision.”

“I think just what Bruno [Famin] said, the decision has been made by Formula 1,” McLaren boss Zak Brown added.

“Formula 1 laid out what their criteria was and they’ve made their decision.

“And now speaking for myself, and I’m sure my colleagues [we’re] focused on our own racing teams and getting on with the season.”