Sky Sports F1 journalist Craig Slater visited the new Andretti facility in Silverstone and shared the latest information he received about their proposed entry in Formula 1.
After initially being accepted by Formula One Management, Andretti then had their bid to become the 11 team on the grid rebuffed at the start of the year.
Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast, Slater provided an insight into how the team are feeling about their prospects of entering the paddock.
Craig Slater shares Andretti F1 entry update after facility opening
American outfit Andretti already had a presence in the UK through their work in Formula E.
They’ve been a mainstay in that series since the inaugural season back in 2014, claiming 11 wins from 123 races.
However, they’ve now massively expanded their presence on this side of the Atlantic as they look to become the latest team to enter Formula 1.
Plenty of teams put applications forward last year, including Hitech, but all were rejected – except Andretti.
They pushed on, hoping to be the second American outfit on the grid after Haas as Formula 1 continued to make efforts to grow in North America.
Unfortunately, Formula One Management – typically abbreviated to FOM – decided for several reasons that a 2026 entry for Andretti should be rejected, but Slater has more details on Michael Andretti’s stance on this.
They’re continuing to invest in the project and believe there’s a positive outcome on the horizon.
However, if the ten current teams get their way, then the next Concorde Agreement might make life even more difficult for them…
Andretti pushing ahead in bid to reach Formula 1
After visiting Andretti’s new factory, Slater said: “People are surprised, the last thing they heard was that it was a no entry for them, you’re not getting in 2025 or 2026.
“Lo and behold they’re here opening a new factory. They’re spending a lot of money still the Andretti’s, millions of pounds.
“They’ve got 120 staff on the payroll in the UK, they want to raise that to 400.
“Off camera, some interesting discussions with those involved in the project signalled to me that they still believe they can persuade Formula One Management.
“They’ve got the certification from the FIA but they believe they can win the arguments which were that they didn’t add value to the sport, that’s what F1 said.
“They wouldn’t be competitive enough to improve things and that also they need to bring in something a bit more substantial than a partnership with General Motors, they want this engine to be actually developed and built.
“Michael Andretti told me that is happening, it will be there and available hopefully from 2028, but they want a couple of years to bed in.
“They don’t want to just debut a new team and a new engine all at once and they are conscious they’ve become this slightly political football in the friction between Formula One Management and the governing body the FIA.”
Andretti could explore other ways of getting into Formula 1
While Michael Andretti has shared his optimism with Slater about their entry into F1, eventually, they may have to look at different avenues.
Alpine’s owners Renault may need some convincing to commit to their Formula 1 project if results continue to suffer.
Andretti have been linked with buying Alpine but that doesn’t appear to be their desired route onto the grid.
Helmut Marko has also discussed whether Red Bull would be willing to sell RB, but right now, Andretti are committed to adding another two cars to the grid, rather than taking over an existing outfit.
The post ‘Michael Andretti told me’: Sky journalist now shares what Andretti said ‘off camera’ about 2026 F1 entry appeared first on F1 Oversteer.