In recent weeks, there has been a lot of discussion about the entry of Team Andretti into Formula 1 as the eleventh team on the starting grid. In this regard, the paddock has literally been split in half, between those who agree with the idea and those against it. Among the latter there is also Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who said:
“All the teams have invested considerable amounts over the last ten years to get here. If a new team is able to bring more than it costs, we can sit down at a table and talk about it. So far, however, this evidence has not yet been provided.” – the Mercedes team principal pointed out.
The response of former Scuderia Ferrari driver Mario Andretti, patriarch of the famous American family, soon arrived. Here are some of the most important statements from Mario Andretti on this matter.
For Mario Andretti, the Austrian’s comments were a bitter disappointment. In an interview for German magazine Auto Motor un Sport, the former Ferrari driver explained: “Toto Wolff spoke very openly about our credibility. However, he speaks to me in a different way. I find his criticisms very disrespectful because we have been active in motorsport for much longer than he has. I respect the success he has achieved so far, but he has no reason to look down on us.”
The winner of the 1969 indy 500 responded to the accusation that he had not provided any proof of the seriousness of the project: “The FIA is very open to us and we have met all the requirements. Now we are waiting for them to give us a number in terms of costs we have to pay other teams so that we can enter.” – he explained.
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Mario Andretti appeared annoyed by the continuous silence of the world motorsport authority. “We know it’s about $200 million. Now they probably want more, but we’re still waiting for feedback.” Mario Andretti believes that in the past such a situation would not have happened like this. He complains: “With Bernie it would be different, Liberty gives teams too much co-determination.”
Regarding the projects Mario Andretti underlined: “They always ask us how we want to be competitive. I say: let this be our problem! You don’t know our projects. We don’t have to hire new people, we have absolutely expert people who have the knowledge. Financially, we have credible partners who are aware of the size of the project. We have been planning our schedule for a long time, because that’s all we want. We deserve more respect.” – the former Ferrari driver concluded.
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