Aspiring Formula One team Andretti should buy an existing side rather than set up their own, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has claimed.

Andretti’s bid to join the grid in 2025 or 2026 was denied in January by F1’s commerical rights holders Liberty Media – despite being endorsed by the FIA.

That leaves the American team waiting until at least 2028 to join the 10 sides currently in F1.


 

Ben Sulayem said: ‘I would advise them to go and buy another team, not to come as the 11th team.

‘I feel that some teams need to be refreshed. What is better? To have 11 teams as a number or 10 and they are strong?

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has advised aspiring F1 team Andretti to buy another team rather than establish their own


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FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has advised aspiring F1 team Andretti to buy another team rather than establish their own

Team owner Michael Andretti had a bid to join F1 in 2025 or 2026 denied earlier this year
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Team owner Michael Andretti had a bid to join F1 in 2025 or 2026 denied earlier this year