During the 2024 Miami Grand Prix, Michael Andretti wears a smile as he visits the F1 paddock.
McLaren chief executive Zak Brown has rejected the conspiracy theory that an anti-American bias is behind F1’s resistance to the proposed Andretti team.
Andretti has been pursuing an F1 entry for quite a while, and their team’s application was granted approval by the FIA, the governing body, last autumn.
Zak Brown rejects Andretti F1 conspiracy theory
In January, the American outfit faced a harsh setback as Formula 1’s commercial rights holders, Liberty Media, formally dismissed Andretti’s proposal. They argued that the team’s addition would not bring substantial value to the sport, expressing this in a lengthy statement spanning 1,434 words.
Despite facing rejection, Andretti has persevered with their plans to join the grid. They have recently inaugurated a new team facility at Silverstone, the renowned venue for the British Grand Prix. Furthermore, they have made a significant acquisition in the form of technical expert Pat Symonds, who was previously associated with Formula 1, marking a major triumph for Andretti.
One of the rare F1 team bosses to extend support to Andretti’s plans is Brown, hailing from Los Angeles, California.
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Despite the notable American impact on modern F1, which includes three races in Texas, Miami, and Las Vegas, surpassing any other country, the McLaren boss has rejected the idea that their rejection of Andretti is motivated by an anti-US bias.
He told ESPN: “I don’t think there’s an anti-American culture within Formula 1 at all.
“The sport is truly global, with European manufacturers, Ford from North America, and Honda from Japan all contributing to its international presence.”
“I have never witnessed any bias or discrimination towards any specific region of the world in Formula 1. Participants from all corners of the globe partake in this sport.”
In the context of the United States, Liberty is truly American. Over time, America has evolved from having a single race to now embracing a diverse mix of three races. This includes an extraordinary milestone for Formula 1, as they have recently made their biggest investment ever in Las Vegas.
Ford has recently joined the sport, while I am leading one of the top teams in the same field.
Netflix has done wonders for the sport worldwide, particularly in North America. Adding to that success, we now have the incredible opportunity of Brad Pitt starring in a U.S.-based global movie, which will undoubtedly have a tremendous impact on the sport.
“The remarkable impact Liberty has had on the sport is truly impressive. When considering the requirements we had for the sport, including the necessity for cost controls, we can now see that it has been successfully implemented, resulting in the closest grid ever witnessed in Formula 1.”
He expressed his sympathy towards Andretti’s frustrations, but questioned the argument that Formula 1 is unwelcoming to America.
“It’s a pity that the focus has shifted away from Andretti and Formula 1 and the importance of adding value.”
In an exclusive interview with PlanetF1.com in April, 1978 World Champion Mario Andretti, the father of team owner Michael, expressed renewed hope that a resolution will be found to allow Andretti to take up their place on the F1 starting grid.
He elaborated, stating, “Progress is being made on every front. Furthermore, we have recently inaugurated a facility in Silverstone.”
I am starting to feel hopeful as we are putting in a great deal of dedicated effort. We need to reach a conclusion soon, ideally, but we have all the necessary information and are prepared for whatever may be necessary.
We’re putting in maximum effort to meet every aspect of it. After that, we can only hope for the best.
We are diligently working in every possible way to make progress on the cause. Our goal is to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to the project through actions rather than mere words.
“We currently have a considerable team assembled here, accompanied by several intriguing individuals eagerly awaiting the official approval from Formula 1 to proceed at full throttle.”
Our intention is simply to demonstrate that everything is in accordance with expectations. It holds great significance for us to have General Motors onboard, as they are an F1 newcomer manufacturer.
In my opinion, the high visibility of F1 in the United States should definitely work in favor of having a complete US team involved. I remain optimistic, without a doubt.
He exclaimed, “This is the initial instance where we are engaging in genuine in-person dialogue with Formula 1, discussing and deliberating.”
There are grounds for me to feel good.
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