McLaren chief executive Zak Brown has firmly dismissed the notion that an anti-American bias is behind Formula 1’s resistance to the proposed Andretti team.
Andretti has been seeking an entry into F1 for some time, with their application receiving FIA approval last autumn. However, in January, Formula 1’s commercial rights holders, Liberty Media, rejected Andretti’s proposal, stating it wouldn’t add significant value to the sport. Despite this setback, Andretti continues to push forward, recently opening a new team facility at Silverstone and announcing the acquisition of technical expert Pat Symonds.
Zak Brown, one of the few F1 team bosses supporting Andretti’s plans, told ESPN, ‘I don’t think there’s an anti-American culture within Formula 1 at all. When you look at the sport, you’ve got European manufacturers, you’ve got Ford from North America, you’ve got Honda from Japan, so the sport is extremely global. I’ve never come across any favouritism or negativity towards any region of the world. The whole world participates in Formula 1.’
Brown elaborated on the significant American influence in modern F1, including three US-based races in Texas, Miami, and Las Vegas, and the involvement of Ford and the upcoming Brad Pitt movie that focuses on the sport. He praised Liberty Media for their investment in F1 and the implementation of cost controls, leading to closer competition than ever before.
In April, Mario Andretti expressed renewed hope for the team’s entry into F1, citing the opening of their new Silverstone facility and ongoing efforts to meet all requirements. ‘I am beginning to feel optimistic because we’re doing a lot of diligent work. We’ll just have to come to some conclusion, hopefully soon,’ he said. Mario emphasized that General Motors’ involvement is a significant factor that should work in their favor, given the increasing exposure of F1 in the US.
The Andretti team remains dedicated to satisfying every requirement and advancing their cause, hoping for a favorable conclusion soon. As Mario Andretti put it, ‘We’re just trying to show that everything is the way it should be.’
While the Andretti team faces hurdles, their dedication and the support from figures like Zak Brown highlight their determination to join the F1 grid, showing that the sport’s resistance is rooted in value considerations rather than any anti-American sentiment.
Source: Planetf1
