Is Toto Wolff Wrong?

So since last year, there have been talks about a new team joining Formula 1. There are currently 10 teams, who take part in the world championship. But in the past, there have been more than 10 teams battling it out on the grid.
So why is Mercedes Team Boss Toto Wolff sceptical about a certain new team joining the grid? Well, that’s what we’re here to tell you, at Fervent Motorsports.

So by now, you’ve heard of the news that Audi and Porsche might be joining Formula 1. It’s said that the new engine rules that will come into effect will definitely benefit the carmakers in the production of their road cars. So that’s why the Volkswagen group has decided to allow their brands Audi and Porsche to enter Formula 1.

So it seems pretty straightforward right?

Well not really.
Because there is another party who is interested in Joining F1. It’s Andretti Autosport. The team currently has cars and drivers racing in Formula E, Indycar, IMSA and even Extreme E just to name a few. But throughout his efforts to try and join the sport, he’s been met with disapproval from many people. Especially Toto Wolff, the Mercedes Team boss.

So to put it bluntly, Apart from bragging rights and fame, teams enter Formula 1 for the money.
Think about it like this.
You and 9 friends take part in a table tennis tournament, and at the end of it. The money is split amongst everyone. Adding an 11th person would mean that you now get less money than before. It’s complicated financial math that I’ve explained badly, but the principle is the same. .

Andretti is also ready to pay a 200 Million Dollar anti dilution fee. That amount will be split amongst the 10 teams over a period of 2 years to help them cover up the less prize money that they would be receiving.
So that Should solve it right ?
Well, Nah, they’re still swimming against the tide. The FIA and team bosses aren’t really enthusiastic about the team potentially joining Formula 1.

Toto Wolff isn’t convinced

In a very recent interview he said
“Andretti is a great name, and I think they have done exceptional things in the US. But this is sport and this is business and we need to understand what it is that you can provide to the sport.

“And if an OEM or an international, multinational group joins F1 and can demonstrate that they are going to spend X amount of dollars in activating, in marketing in the various markets; that’s obviously a totally different value proposition for all the other teams.”

What he means is that, A big company like Porsche or Audi will have much more money to spend on marketing which will increase the value of the sport. And it will ensure that the other teams grow as the sport grows.

And that’s logical. But the fact is. Andretti is a powerhouse in the USA. Formula 1 recently gained a massive, massive following through its portrayal in the recent Drive to survive series. Formula 1 even has more races in the USA since the show came out. Honestly I’m not the biggest fan of the show, but hey, it helped the sport. And I believe that So can Andretti.

Andretti and Formula 1

The founder, Mario Andretti Won the formula 1 world championship in 1978. Some of the drivers who he beat that season were Niki Lauda, James Hunt, Jody Scheckter, Alan Jones. Those are some very iconic names in the sport. Andretti has had support from Zak brown of Mclaren, who like me believes that as time progresses, Andretti will bring a whole new market to formula 1. And it will be beneficial in the long run .

The long road ahead

So to sum it up, Just because Andretti isn’t as large as an OEM Manufacturer, doesn’t mean that they don’t deserve the chance. They’re willing to pay whatever the FIA is asking for. And if they’re still denied a place, there’s definitely something fishy going on behind the scenes.