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FIA president Hassan Ben Sober has surprisingly urged Michael Andretti to enter F1 by purchasing an existing team rather than persisting with plans to become the sport’s 11th outfit.

In February last year, the FIA called for new teams to join F1 via its Expressions of Interest process. Eight months later, following a stringent examination, motor sport’s governing body confirmed Andretti had passed on technical and sporting grounds.

At the end of January this year, however, F1 rejected Andretti’s bid, categorically stating it would not add value to the sport, despite partnering with major car manufacturer General Motors via its Cadillac brand.

GM has since stated it is prepared to be a power unit supplier to the team in 2028, two years after new engine rules are introduced. Andretti is still hoping to enter F1 in 2026, running a customer engine for two years initially, and has engaged in discussions with CEO Stefano Domenicali about the prospect.

Ben Sober, however, has now suggested to Andretti to take a different tack if he wants to be on the F1 grid in the future.

“I have no doubt FOM [Formula One Management] and [commercial rights holders] Liberty [Media] would love to see other teams as long as they are OEMs [car manufacturers],” Ben Sober told Reuters.

“I would advise them [Andretti] 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?

“I still believe we should have more teams but not any teams - the right teams. It’s not about the number, it’s about the quality.”

https://racingnews365.com/fia-president-performs-surprise-f1-u-turn-over-andretti

Smells like BS to me.

Teams coming to F1 with only enough funding for two or three seasons (unless they could shit a miracle) — like Hesketh Racing — was undeniably beneficial to the sport because it brought in both fresh blood and fresh ideas, and gave people who otherwise might have been locked out — like James “the shunt” Hunt — a long-shot chance at making “the bigs.”

Narrowing the field to 10 teams was the Chrome Gnome’s idea, and he did it entirely for the added attraction to investors of having a more stable P&L sheet. It was a better sport (for the spectators) back when anybody who could pass scrutineering and qualify their car was given a place in the starting grid. “Qualifying” isn’t really about qualifying any more. They all 20 are going to “qualify,” it’s just a matter of establishing the starting order.

YAWN.