Regardless of Liberty’s opinion, Michael Andretti is determined to forcefully make his way onto the F1 grid.
Andretti have been dealt a fresh blow in their efforts to find a way into F1, with Renault boss Luca de Meo insisting there are no plans to sell the Alpine team.
Andretti has been attempting to enter F1 for a while now, but their official request to join the grid was denied in January by the commercial rights owners of the sport.
Andretti F1 entry route closed as Alpine rubbish sale rumours
Both F1 owners Liberty Media and the existing teams are strongly opposed to the arrival of an 11th team, with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem recently suggesting Andretti should target purchasing an existing team.
In recent months, Andretti has persistently pursued their plans to enter F1, making significant strides such as establishing a new team facility at Silverstone and securing the highly respected technical expert Pat Symonds from Formula 1, which is considered a major achievement.
Mario Andretti, the 1978 World Champion and father of team owner Michael, recently spoke in an exclusive interview with PlanetF1.com. He shared his renewed optimism about the team’s chances of making it onto the grid in the near future.
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Speculation arose that Renault might consider selling the Enstone outfit due to Alpine’s dismal performance in the 2024 F1 season. The team has only managed to score two points in the first eight races, indicating a lack of significant progress since the French manufacturer regained control in 2015.
However, De Meo has rejected rumours that Renault could sell the team, claiming it would be a “stupid” move.
He told Autocar: “I want to make this very clear. There is no way we are going to give up.
This does not align with my personal taste. We have no intention of selling any portion of this item. Financial gain is not a priority for us.
“I’ve been bombarded with countless offers and subsequent public discussions. However, we have no interest in pursuing them. It would be unwise, and I refuse to engage in such actions.”
Last year, Alpine managed to secure the interest of renowned investors, including Redwing Capital Partners, who acquired a significant 24 percent stake in the team. This remarkable £171 million transaction established a valuation of £706 million for the Enstone outfit.
De Meo refutes the notion that the acceptance of new investors signaled an impending complete sale, but maintains a willingness to consider investment opportunities.
“These individuals are highly skilled in the art of cultivating sports franchises,” he commented about the investors.
“We may be car enthusiasts, engineers, and technicians, but we recognize the expertise required to successfully transform the Dallas Cowboys’ value from $1 billion to $8 billion within a short span of time. Their exceptional business acumen is invaluable, which is why we seek their involvement.”
“I have always been open to investment opportunities, as long as they come with good ideas.”
Since the introduction of F1’s V6 hybrid regulations in 2014, Renault has faced challenges in adapting to the current engine technology, despite its previous success as Red Bull’s engine partner when Sebastian Vettel led them to four consecutive World Championships from 2010 to 2013.
De Meo has acknowledged that Renault has been at a disadvantage in terms of their engine performance, and the underperforming chassis of Alpine has only worsened their challenges in F1 2024.
He stated that their engine failed to perform when they started the hybrid era.
After achieving the title of World Champions with Red Bull, our success took a turn for the worse with the introduction of hybrid technology.
“In 2021, our developed engine consistently faced a disadvantage of 0.2 to 0.5 seconds per lap. Regrettably, this year we have made mistakes with the car.”
“We are currently 1.5 seconds away from reaching our desired position when everything is combined.”
In recent years, there have been numerous changes within Alpine. Both Fernando Alonso and Oscar Piastri will bid farewell to the team at the conclusion of F1 2022, as they embark on new journeys with Aston Martin and McLaren, respectively.
During the Belgian Grand Prix weekend in 2023, the team made the decision to publicly dismiss their team principal, Otmar Szafnauer, and their long-serving sporting director, Alan Permane. Additionally, Alpine has recently confirmed the departure of another significant member, Rob White, who had played a crucial role in securing Alonso’s championship victories with the team in 2005/06.
De Meo has issued a cautionary statement, stating that there will be additional departures as the team strives to establish themselves as strong contenders in light of the forthcoming F1 2026 rule modifications.
He stated that our plan is to work with the current setup for this year and 2025, and then make necessary improvements for the following cycle. This is the challenge we aim to tackle.
However, we are committed to taking all the essential measures to become a team that can compete effectively.
I anticipate a significantly improved performance from the team, as our aim is not to settle for P16. Instead, we ought to consistently be in the mix and strive for better results whenever possible.
“Our level should fluctuate between second and fifth place at times.”
To secure victory in F1, the foremost necessity is assembling an exceptional team comprising of highly skilled individuals.
“The second element entails a fervent desire for victory, commonly known as racing rage. The third factor encompasses team-wide collaboration and trust, fostering a cooperative spirit that simplifies tasks.”
Because of the support provided by the Renault Group, Alpine should be considered as one of the F1 teams with the strongest financial resources.
“At the moment, I believe we are not worthy of being considered a top team. However, our purpose in F1 is not merely to spectate; instead, we must put in diligent efforts to improve ourselves.”
Certainly, we have had our share of errors. They are inevitable occurrences. However, I believe our decision to prioritize F1 within Alpine and adorn our car with a blue hue symbolizing a unique automotive culture is the correct approach.
“This brand’s legitimacy is unquestionable as it has consistently thrived in a competitive market. However, there is still significant untapped potential, and I am eager to seize the opportunity for further improvement.”
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