Jordan's Track Talk

Tag: Andretti Autosport

  • FIA approve Andretti entry as 11th F1 team

    The FIA has given Andretti Formula Racing the green light to join the Formula 1 grid, subject to it reaching a commercial agreement with FOM.

    Following months of analysis by the FIA over the expressions of interest to join F1 from 2025 at the earliest, the governing body has finally announced the outcome of its efforts.

    In a statement issued on Monday, it said that Andretti was the only applicant that was being put forward to third and final stage of selection, which involves F1’s commercial rights holders.

    But while the FIA is happy with the Andretti bid and believes it fulfils all the criteria it has laid down, that does not mean the squad will definitely get a place on the grid.

    Andretti now needs to reach a satisfactory commercial deal with FOM, and there has been a known resistance to the field getting expanded beyond 10 team.
    F1 CEO, Stefano Domenicali has been consistent that any new team would need to bring a clear added value to the championship.

    F1 teams have to prove they had the sporting, technical and financial capabilities to join the F1 grid, as well as explain plans on sustainability and positive societal impact.

    The FIA was very clear in establishing stringent criteria for entry from the outset of the Expressions of Interest procedure. Our objective, after rigorous due diligence during the application phase, was to only approve prospective entries which satisfied the set criteria and illustrated that they would add value to the sport. The FIA is obliged to approve applications that comply with the Expressions of Interests application requirements and we have adhered to that procedure in deciding that Andretti Formula Racing LLC’s application would proceed to the next stage of the application process. In taking that decision, the FIA is acting in accordance with EU directives on motor sport participation and development. Andretti Formula Racing LLC was the only entity which fulfils the selection criteria that was set in all material respects. I congratulate Michael Andretti and his team on a thorough submission. I also want to thank all prospective teams for their interest and participation.

    FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

    Andretti Cadillac is honoured that the FIA has approved Andretti Formula Racing’s Expression of Interest for the Formula 1 world championship. We appreciate the FIA’s rigorous, transparent and complete evaluation process and are incredibly excited to be given the opportunity to compete in such a historic and prestigious championship. The formation of this distinctly American team is an important moment of pride for all our employees and fans. We feel strongly that Andretti Cadillac’s deep racing competencies and the technological advancements that come from racing will benefit our customers while heightening enthusiasm for F1, globally. We look forward to engaging with all of the stakeholders in Formula 1 as we continue our planning to join the grid as soon as possible

    Andretti’s statement on the news.

    https://x.com/fia/status/1708863831596757243?s=20

  • Avalanche Andretti to be powered by Porsche

    Avalanche Andretti Formula E took to social media to announce that they will be joining forces with Porsche from the start of Season 9.

    Porsche will provide the powertrains and other support services for the Andretti team, under a long-term agreement.

    The agreement will bring the Andretti name and Porsche brand together for the first time since 2008, when the late John Andretti carried the Porsche emblem for the Daytona 24 Hours.

    The manufacturer and family share a storied past, which includes a run at Le Mans that saw the father-son pairing of Mario and Michael Andretti as teammates for one of motorpsort’s most iconic races.

    Our Formula E journey began with Season 1 and we’re very proud to now be looking ahead to the next generation of the sport. Avalanche Andretti FE has an ambition to win, and with the support of Porsche, we have full confidence in our performance and growth. The agreement is an important step in our future and commitment to our sport, partners, and fans. Our history with Porsche as two historic racing teams means this collaboration was a natural fit, and we look forward to a new chapter starting in 2023.

    Michael Andretti, CEO and Chairman Andretti Autorsport.

    Season 9 will be an important year for our team and the series. It was vital that we made a strong choice in our powertrain provider in preparation for this new chapter and exciting generation of car – and we have that in Porsche. We are looking forward to starting Gen3 as a formidable competitor. We remain focused on the rest of this season, we continue our powertrain relationship with BMW, who have been a valued partner to our team and will support us until the end of this season. We’ve had many successes together through the years and thank them for both their partnership and friendship.

    Roger Griffiths, Team Principle Avalanche Andretti Formula E.

    It’s important for us to support a customer team that demonstrates the same passion and professionalism in Formula E as we do. Avalanche Andretti has raced in Formula E since the inaugural 2014 season. For us, it’s a huge vote of confidence that one of the most experienced teams has chosen to work alongside Porsche from Season 9 onwards and wants to field two Porsche 99X Electric racers. Porsche and Andretti are united by a long tradition, and it all started when Mario and Michael made their Le Mans debuts in a Porsche 956 in 1983. We’re delighted that the tradition is continuing in Formula E, and we hope our partnership will be just as successful.

    Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President of Porsche Motorsport.

  • Herta to F1?

    There is currently lots of gossip going round about the last seat available for next year in the Alfa Romeo and it seems now that IndyCar driver, Colton Herta is now a possibility…

    This comes as Michael Andretti is getting ready to purchase Alfa Romeo, and the link between Andretti and Herta is that Herta drives for his IndyCar team.

    Andretti hasn’t kept it a secret that if the ‘right opportunity’ came along to buy a team he would and that team is supposedly Alfa Romeo. Herta’s main sponsor Gainbridge would join Andretti Autosport to “take over” the F1 team, which pushes Herta in line for the seat even more.

    Who is Colton Herta?

    Looking back in Colton’s career he has won the Pacific Formula F1600 in 2013, in 2015 he finished 3rd in the MSA Formula Championship. 2016 was a year for him as he joined Carlin for the Euroformula Open Championship and finished 3rd, he also competed in the Spain Formula 3 Championship and finished 2nd.

    LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 26: IndyCar driver Colton Herta driving the #26 car, wins the 2021 Acura Grand Prix Of Long Beach on September 26, 2021 in Long Beach, California. (Photo by Greg Doherty/Getty Images)

    In 2017 and 2018 he competed in Indy Lights and finished 3rd in 2017, 2018 he finished 2nd. Since 2018 he has been competing in IndyCar, with him finishing 3rd in 2020 and 5th this year. Colton is the youngest-ever winner in IndyCar history at the age of 18.

    Danica Patrick has said that now F1 is becoming more popular in the US, with having an American F1 team, and Netflix series Drive To Survive. There just missing an American driver. She thinks that having an driver like Herta would only make it more popular.

    Pato O’Ward also believes that Herta has ‘everything to be successful’ in Formula One. “He is a very talented, very fast individual, and I think he’ll have no problem. He’s going to be fighting up there, if he is given the right car. There’s no doubt in my mind. Not that it’s going to be a struggle, but everything has its path of learning, but given the right time, he’ll be just fine.” Pato said.

    The only thing stopping Colton Herta from having that f1 seat is his super licence, he needs at least 40 points and his currently got 32… Could this be a possible move for him in 2023? His only 21 so his still got a long way to go in his career…