Mario Andretti reveals which type of drivers he would like in his Formula 1 team. Mario Andretti on which type of drivers he would like in his future F1 team.

Michael Andretti’s name had been on the lips of many in the paddock for months. The American had intentions to expand his influence in motorsport by entering Formula 1 as the eleventh team. After various speculations and interviews, as no official comments were forthcoming, the announcement finally came: the American team successfully passed the first examination by the Federation. However, the more complex part begins now, as Liberty Media has to evaluate the matter, and the existing teams are skeptical about the idea of giving up part of their annual economic prize.

Nonetheless, the Andretti family is excited about the result and remains optimistic about the future, as Mario Andretti stated in a recent interview with Autosprint: “I’m thrilled. We’re moving forward, and this should be taken as a very positive development. We hope that everything else goes well too. In the meantime, I can tell you that an intense eight-month effort was needed to meet the requirements set by the FIA, to provide them with everything they deemed necessary.”

First details: location and drivers

Entering the pinnacle of motorsport is a dream come true and the culmination of a long journey, in which Andretti has achieved notable successes. Therefore, Mario Andretti can only be pleased with what his son is building: “As a father, I’m immensely proud of what he’s constructing. For years, he has been trying to open all doors in the highest and most competitive racing categories. He practically had this ambition from the beginning of his career as a team manager. When he was a driver, after achieving so much, he retired at the peak, at the age of forty-two, just to nurture the project of creating a great team. I can say he succeeded. Now he’s laying the foundation for further advancement, aiming to reach Constructor status in Formula 1.” – the former Ferrari driver explained.

In addition to the bureaucratic work with the Federation, there was also the need to create dedicated infrastructure, and the American has started revealing some details of the work: “I can confirm that we will have a base in Europe, and it will be in England, but I can’t go into further specifics. The full details will be announced in due course.” – he pointed out.

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The interview then focused on what interests the viewers, who welcomed the news of the eleventh team positively: who will be the team’s drivers? “Certainly, the intention is to promote young American drivers who otherwise wouldn’t have a chance to reach Formula One, that is, talents who might otherwise be lost. Although it’s too early to mention names or indicate directions. Ultimately, the specific choice in the future may be inspired by opportunistic criteria typical of the moment when the decision has to be made. So providing a list of names now would be premature. When the time comes, the selection will be made. The right people need to be found at the right moment.”